Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Addiction Services of Thames Valley
Gala aims to shatter deep stigmas of addiction
If you're like many, here's what you think:
That drug addict, that drinker, that gambler — it's their fault, a weakness, something they could fix if they really wanted.
"The stigma runs deep around substance abuse and gambling addiction," Linda Sibley, executive director of Addition Services of Thames Valley said. "People say, 'You did it to yourself.'"
With the economic and social impacts of addiction entrenched in the London region, it's time for everyone to shake off the stigma and really understand addiction, Sibley said.
"We need to normalize addiction so that people can get help. We need to normalize the fact some people have issues with substances and gambling and gaming."
To that end, the 30-year-old agency's foundation is holding its first major fundraiser, an anniversary gala June 2 in London that will include a little teaching with the entertainment and live auction.
"It's a call to action: join us in this movement and get the message out there." Sibley said. "We believe by participating in this event, people will leave wanting to be a part of this movement."
The movement might be best described by the It's Possible campaign, an effort to shift perceptions about addiction that the agency spearheads but cannot fund.
Addiction Services gets enough money from the city and province to offer the counselling and programs it's mandated to do, Sibley said. But the agency wants to help prevent addiction and get people into treatment earlier, she said.
That's led to the gala, which will help support the It's Possible campaign and the annual Stage for Change, both avenues for people to share their stories.
Sibley points to the sharing of stories about mental illness as a major reason Canadians have become more understanding and accepting of the program.
"That change happened because people spoke up."
The same thing has started to happen with addiction, but there's a long way to go, she said.
Several factors can lead to addiction, from abuse and trauma and poverty, to a workplace injury and a prescription for painkillers, Sibley said.
"What we want people to know is that there is hope, there is a way through this."
But shame and stigma still prevent people from getting help, or getting help early, Sibley said.
The sigma costs everyone, in tax dollars for emergency services, health care and counselling and in lost relationships with family and friends, she said.
The gala comes just as the Middlesex-London Health Unit works on a community strategy to tackle drug addiction.
Alcohol remains one of the most persistent issues at Addiction Services, but the region has endured waves of different illicit drugs over the past few decades, from crack cocaine in the 1980s to opioids in the early 2000s and now crystal meth and in centres, fentanyl.
Meanwhile, over the past five years, gambling addiction has become entrenched with the number of teenagers and young adults seeking help at the agency on the rise.
30th Anniversary Gala Details
| | When: | Thursday, June 2 from 5:30pm to 9:30pm | | Where: | Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre, 591 Wellington Rd, London. | | What: | Entertainment including Sarah Smith, live auction and teaching moments |
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