Addiction is a debilitating disease that does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. It affects people from all backgrounds and communities. Rising opioid and prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic levels, ravaging communities across the nation and throughout Pennsylvania. More than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2017, and Philadelphia’s overdose death rate is among the highest in the nation. However, access to treatment is often difficult, for financial and/or logistical reasons. And with rates for relapse ranging from 40 to 60 percent, ongoing support is needed for those in recovery.
As Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church points out, addiction “wounds the body of Christ.” The Church can—and should—be a powerful force in response to addiction. God’s unfailing mercy provides strength and support on the difficult journey toward lifelong recovery. We are called to be like the Good Samaritan, who bandaged the wounds and paid for lodging for a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left half-dead by the side of the road. “Go and do likewise,” Jesus said.
To help those struggling with addiction, we have created the Recovery Advocacy Network, focused on supporting individuals in recovery and training those who want to be advocates from parishes across the Diocese; we provide support for veterans living with addiction; we provide counseling through the parish wellness centers; we provide free Narcan training to all parishes; and we continue to engage in street ministry to reach the most vulnerable.
