Morgen Irwin

What is Project Recover?

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc.’s Project Recover is about creating a systematic, community-wide support network for individuals in all stages of recovery from substance use and abuse and mental illness, and their families throughout Oneida and Herkimer Counties. Eleven Recovery Zones have been identified throughout the Herkimer and Oneida County area; they include:  Dolgeville, Herkimer, Town of Webb and Winfield in Herkimer County; and in Oneida County Boonville, Camden, Rome, Trenton, Utica, Vernon and Waterville.

Built upon the solid foundation of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Recovery Model, the Recovery Zones will center on the four pillars of recovery:  health, home, purpose and community.  Capitalizing upon the depth of lived experience, utilizing peer-to-peer recovery coaches as integral role models, mentors, leaders and facilitators is paramount to the design of Project Recover. 

Individuals, groups, agencies and businesses are needed to make Project Recover a reality.  Here are some different methods to make an impact:

• Commit resources – perhaps you have a sign business and would like to make signs for the Recovery Zones; maybe you have positions open and are able to re-train people in recovery; maybe you’ll commit financial resources to allow meaningful social recreation activities for individuals in recovery and their families.
• Perhaps you’re a person in recovery and you’d like to be a peer mentor.
• Do you own or work at a business that would benefit from education about making it ‘recovery friendly?’ Our staff and volunteers would love to help you create such an environment.
• Have an idea that hasn’t been mentioned?  Let’s explore it! 

Our thanks to the Good News Foundation and the Dominion Foundation for their commitment of funds to Project Recover and to making a difference in our community. 

To find out more about Project Recover, please contact Judith H. Reilly, Community Programs Director a call at 315.768.2641 or jreilly@cflrinc.org.

Is medical marijuana medicine?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the marijuana plant contains several chemicals that may prove useful for treating a range of illnesses or symptoms. This leads people to argue it should be made legally available for medical purposes. At this point 20 states have legalized marijuana’s use for certain medical conditions.  And Governor Cuomo’s bill regarding medical marijuana, or The Compassionate Care Act which would allow licensed doctors, nurses and physicians’ assistants to prescribe medical marijuana to patients with severe life threatening or debilitating diseases, legalization of marijuana in some form is looming near.  So will New York be the 21^st state?

“The term ‘medical marijuana’ is generally used to refer to the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its crude extracts, which are not recognized or approved as medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But scientific study of the active chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to the development of two FDA-approved medications already, and is leading to the development of new pharmaceuticals that harness the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids while minimizing or eliminating the harmful side effects (including the “high”) produced by eating or smoking marijuana leaves.” NIDA 2014

I am not a medical professional, but working at an agency that has a vision to create a community mindset where people embrace sustained recovery from substance use, mental health and behavioral issues, I feel compelled to share some insight and facts, and let the readers make an informed decision about this issue.

With the growing acceptance of medical marijuana and in two states legalization for recreational use it may be influencing how young people perceive the harm associated with marijuana use generally. Research shows that as high school seniors’ perception of marijuana’s risks goes down, their marijuana use goes up, and vice versa.

Here are some key facts:

• Among youth ages 12 – 17, marijuana usage rates are higher in states with medical marijuana laws.
• Medical marijuana severely undermines prevention efforts by further normalizing marijuana use and thereby lessening the perceptions of its dangers and negative effects.
• Research shows that there is a direct correlation between decreases in perception of harm and social disapproval and increases in drug use. 
• Marijuana use during adolescence is directly linked to the onset of major mental illness, including psychosis, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
• Marijuana addiction is real and it affects about 1:9 people who ever start using the drug.  If one starts using marijuana in adolescence, the addiction rate jumps to 1:6.
• More than 2/3 of treatment admissions involving those under the age of 18 cite marijuana as their primary substance of abuse; more than three times the rate for alcohol, and more than twice for all other drugs combined.
• Taxes on marijuana would never pay the increased social costs that would result from more users.  Experiences with alcohol and tobacco show that for every dollar gained in taxes, we spent one on social costs.
• The American Medical Association stated that marijuana in smoked form is unsuitable as a medicine. Marijuana contains 50% more carcinogens than tobacco smoke.  Countless groups have taken positions both for and against medical marijuana.  One thing is certain, and that is that any use should be under the strict supervision of the FDA.

Knowledge is power and education is key!  CFLR, Inc. and the coalitions that it works with are proud to be the community’s leaders in prevention efforts.  If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact Judith H. Reilly, Community Programs Director at 315.733.1709 or jreilly@cflrinc.org.

May 2014 – Mental Health Awareness Month has been celebrated throughout the world for over 50 years.

• Did you know that 1 in 4 adults in the USA live with some form of mental illness, in any given year?

• 1 in 5 children living in the United States lives with an emotional or behavioral disorder.
• In Oneida County, compared to the national average, our youth are at a higher risk of depression and serious contemplation of suicide, than ever before.

As a community, our best chance of understanding and preventing mental health issues – like depression and substance abuse & breaking the stigma associated with them – is to openly discuss these issues and diminish the negative impact that they have on our children, families and the community.

CFLR, Inc. is offering several opportunities for community members to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, and to get involved in advocacy and recovery efforts. They include:

• Attending the free screening of the film, Here one Day, The film, “Here One Day” is a visually arresting, emotionally candid film about a woman coping with mental illness, her relationships with her family, and the ripple effects of her suicide on those she loved.The film, “Here One Day” is a visually arresting, emotionally candid film about a woman coping with mental illness, her relationships with her family, and the ripple effects of her suicide on those she loved.The film, “Here One Day” is a visually arresting, emotionally candid film about a woman coping with mental illness, her relationships with her family, and the ripple effects of her suicide on those she loved.The film, “Here One Day” is a visually arresting, emotionally candid film about a woman coping with mental illness, her relationships with her family, and the ripple effects of her suicide on those she loved.about a woman living with mental illness, her relationships with her family, and the ripple effects of her suicide on those whom she loved. viewing of the film, “Here One Day,” on Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 at SUNYIT’s Student Center from 6:00P.M. – 8:00P.M. We will be watching the film and talking with the producer, Kathy Leichter, who’ll be able to answer any questions you may have, talk with you about her loss and how she moved forward.The viewing will take place on Wednesday, May 14^th at 6:00P.M. at SUNYIT (Student Center). Not only will attendees have the opportunity to view the film, but they’ll also be able to speak with the producer, Kathy Leichter, who’ll be able to answer any questions they may have; talk about her loss and how she moved forward;
• Wear a green ribbon for Mental Health Awareness Month. Wear it all month long, and be ready with your ‘elevator speech’ as to why good mental health affects all of us;
• Make daily posts to your Facebook page, throughout the month, regarding mental health. Visit our page, www.facebook.com/WhenTheresHelpTheresHope, often & learn more about how to get involved in efforts that support recovery from mental health, substance use and behavioral issues;
• Attend CFLR, Inc.’s Open House on Wednesday, May 21^st, 2014 from 4:00P.M. – 5:30P.M. at CFLR, Inc.’s Utica Office, 502 Court Street, Suite 401 to learn more, and get more involved.

For more information, contact Judith H. Reilly, Community Programs Director for CFLR, Inc., at (315) 768 – 2641 or jreilly@cflrinc.org.