Hosting Forum on Friday, October 4, at 6:30 PM
(Long Island, NY) Families in Support of Treatment (F.I.S.T.) is hosting a forum to increase access to treatment for substance use disorders. The forum, which will be held at the IBEW 25 Union Hall, 370 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, will provide the Long Island community with important information and resources on the current drug epidemic.
“As Long Island wrestles with a historic opiate crisis, too many families are finding out that detox, rehab and sober housing are expensive, inaccessible, and placed out of reach by insurance companies, forcing their loved ones to go without adequate care. This kind of treatment wouldn’t be acceptable when it comes to any kind of disease and it’s not an acceptable response to addiction. F.I.S.T. is all about families getting educated, getting empowered and pushing for changes as if the lives of their loved ones depend on it; in most cases they do,” said Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds, L.I. Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (LICADD) Executive Director.
- Every day, more than 2,500 teenagers abuse prescription medication for the first time.
- More than half of teens obtain medications from friends and family.
- 12- to 17-year-olds abuse prescription drugs more than they abuse ecstasy, crack/cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined.
Anthony Rizzuto, F.I.S.T. Chairperson and Provider Representative for Seafield Center in Westhampton Beach, said the devastation that drug addiction causes in families and in our communities is “no longer tolerable.”
“Be an agent of change, pass this on to others,” Rizzuto implored. “The ideals of F.I.S.T. are unity and strength. Each finger has limited strength on its own, but when the fingers unite, they form a FIST, which symbolizes strength and unity. It also symbolizes the willingness to FIGHT for what we believe.”
The evening will feature an overview of the current epidemic, barriers to treatment, testimonials from family members, treatment options, stories of recovery, strategies for drug prevention, and drug use signs and symptoms. Over 65 organizations and agencies are participating to offer free resources on topics including but not limited to: support groups, treatment, prevention, parenting programs, and self-help.
Dr. Michael Delman, Senior Vice-President of Academic Affairs for Southside Hospital, North Shore LIJ Health System is a member of the forum’s steering committee. He emphasized that “F.I.S.T. will promote the right of people suffering from substance use disorders to receive the appropriate level of care. This benefits the patients, their families, and society as well. In addition to being good medicine it is cost effective care.”
Alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, and prescription drug abuse are widespread issues that affect individuals, families, and communities. Almost fifty-nine million (58.6 million) Americans binge drink, consuming five or more drinks in one sitting and almost seventy million (69.6 million) Americans use tobacco – cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or chew. Additionally, almost twenty-three million (22.6 million) Americans use illicit drugs, and mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States.
“Our support for access to treatment is rooted in part on testimonials from individuals in long term recovery,” stated Richard Buckman, President Long Island Recovery Association. “Those with access to treatment improve their chances for recovery significantly, helping to curb the cycle of aborted treatment stays, relapse, and criminal justice involvement which continues to drain our state of vital resources.”
Participants will be encouraged to contact local legislators to create awareness around current proposals to amend the insurance law to ensure access to treatment for substance use disorders. Parents United to Stop Heroin (PUSH) advocates are scheduled to connect personal stories to the need for change in the existing law.
“As a family who has been severely affected by addiction/treatment/insurance issues, our biggest hurdle was awareness and lack of cooperation with medical insurance. F.I.S.T. – Families in Support of Treatment puts awareness in the forefront and therefore makes necessary treatment more attainable,” added Teri Kroll, PUSH Coordinator and a mother who lost her son to drug addiction.
F.I.S.T. recognizes that preventing substance abuse and promoting mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being doesn’t take extraordinary efforts – just everyday actions by ordinary people. Simple actions add up to healthier people, neighborhoods, and communities.
