We’ve all seen the news stories about overdose deaths of young people, of babies born drug affected and of our jails and prisons full of people addicted to drugs.  It feels overwhelming.  It feels too big for most of us to believe that we can do anything to help.  At the same time, we all know we need to address this problem that won’t go away on its own.

The good news is that everyone CAN help since there are a core of individuals who are willing to do the hard work of getting into the trenches and to chip away at these problems. That means that most of the public, who feel uncomfortable about this situation, won’t have to actually roll up their own sleeves and get into the trenches, too. 

The help most people can provide is by contributing a small amount of money or a small amount of time to support those doing the heavy lifting. People can help by providing “in-kind” services which are right up their alley such as mowing lawns, printing up posters, attending our pancake breakfasts, helping with Facebook awareness campaigns, etc.  And that would make so many people feel a lot better about this situation – that they CAN do something to help. 

Please visit the Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition (MCRC) website (www.midcoastrecovery.org) for more information.  MCRC is a charitable nonprofit organization that is 100 percent volunteer driven and which depends upon the public’s support to address very difficult issues.  You can also contact us at info@midcoastrecovery.orgor by calling 207-701-1182.  We need your help so that we can do the hard work of helping the thousands of people in our community who need our help.  Thank you.

Ira Mandel, MD, MPH is president of the Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition, in Rockland