Alexa Plant works at the Take Action Coalition of Clinton County table. Photos by Matt Wilson A good crowd attended the Overdose Awareness Day event on Monday, Aug. 31, at Fairview Park in Centralia.
The event was put on by the Take Action Coalition of Clinton County and Marion County Coalition Against Drug Use.
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, which is the world's largest annual campaign to end drug overdose and remember those who have lost their lives from overdose. This year is the 25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day. The theme "25 years on, still needed," is a reminder that overdose continues to impact families, friends and communities across America and also reinforces that overdose is preventable and recovery support can save lives.
"Every conversation and every action can make a difference," Marion County Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow said.
Sheridan Jordan from Take Action Coalition of Clinton County speaks during Overdose Awareness Day. Morgan Isiah from the Community Resource Center in Centralia said the day was about fellowship and encouraging one another.
Sheridan Jordan of the Take Action Coalition of Clinton County said she was thankful to work together with the Community Resource Center of Centralia for the event. She said the organizations stand with those who are in recovery, those who are still struggling, and families who have lost loved ones due to overdose.
"Most importantly, today is a reminder that every life has value, recovery is possible, and no one should have to face substance abuse alone," Jordan said. "Thank you for standing with us for remembering and for helping us build a community rooted in compassion, connection and hope."
The first speaker didn't want to be identified. Their story started when they were in grade school and their first time using any substances was when they were 12 years old. Their drug addiction went from simple substances like marijuana to cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and LSD. Over time the addictions turned from fun to trouble. As they got into their 20s, they were done with drugs and alcohol took over.
Ani Briones of Centralia speaks during the Overdose Awareness event in Centralia on Monday, Aug. 31. "I substituted one habit for another habit," they said.
The alcohol addiction went on for 16 or 17 years. In 2017 they spent 26 days in the hospital with liver failure. They swore they would never use any kind of substances again, but they kept drinking. They got to the point where they didn't have anybody left. They were walking down the street in the snow after having a few drinks and prayed. The next day they got a text message from a person they had a huge crush on growing up, checking on them to make sure they were OK. Within eight months, the two ended up getting engaged and married. They are now a straight A college student who has a full ride scholarship to go to three different colleges.
"If you are just beginning your recovery, it's not about how many times you fall down, it's about how you can pick yourself up," they said. "Just keep trying and facing your battles and picking yourself up."
Rob Jackson, vice president of the Marion County Drug Court support board, was the next speaker. He said while there is heartbreak from addiction, there also is hope. The board walks alongside people in the Marion County Drug Court who want a second chance. The program gives them an opportunity to step away from the shadows, live a clean and sober life, and become contributing and proud community members.
"Recovery requires practical everyday support," Jackson said. "These people need a foundation, which is when our board steps in. When we invest in these individuals, the ripple effect is massive. This program saves taxpayers money because these offenders are not sitting in jail cells. Quite simply, this program saves lives."
Ani Briones from Centralia was the final speaker. She is a mother who lost her son to drug overdose and is in recovery herself. Her son, Chrisopher Weber, was 34 years old when he died from a drug overdose. Weber was kind and caring and family was important to him. He was an artist and was very creative, but most importantly he was a father.
Weber's only child was 8 years old when he passed away. She is now 14 years old and has had important milestones without her dad there to physically see them.
"That is one of the realities of overdose that statistics can't show you," Briones said. "Overdose doesn't take only one life, the loss continues to ripple through families for years afterwards."
Weber struggled with heroin addiction for 10 years. He overdosed once before when he was younger and that time he was able to be revived. Throughout his addiction, Weber moved home multiple times because he wanted to get clean.
"Addiction does not mean someone has stopped loving their family," Briones said. "And it doesn't mean they don't care about their future. It doesn't mean they are weak, worthless, selfish, or beyond saving. It means they are struggling with something incredibly powerful."
The last time Weber came home he stayed clean for about a year and was doing great. He moved out and about a month later everything changed. About two weeks after Weber turned 34 years old, Briones received a phone call from the St. Louis Police Department that Weber had passed away from a drug overdose. He had moved to St. Louis because he wanted to be closer to his daughter.
"One of the last things my son was trying to do was build a life that would allow him to be closer to his child," Briones said. "That was Chris. That is why I believe so strongly that we have to change the way we talk about addiction and overdose. My son didn't become an addict and suddenly stop being everything else that he was."
Briones said after an overdose death, stigma can make grieving families feel like they have to defend the person they lost, and they shouldn't have to defend them. She will never be ashamed to say Weber was her son and tell his story.
"Addiction was not the sum of Chris' life," Briones said. "If we truly want to prevent overdose deaths, then we need more than judgement. People struggling with addiction need access to treatment, people willing to listen, encouragement and accountability, and safe people they can call when they are struggling. Families need support, also."
Briones said she knows something about needing that hope that recovering addicts need because she is one, also. Her recovery has taught her that moving forward does not mean forgetting where she came from. Moving forward means taking everything that she has lived through and deciding what she is going to do with it. She said she is doing well in recovery and her life has purpose again.
On Nov. 3, she is scheduled to graduate with her bachelor's degree. That means more to her than receiving a diploma, that to her represents perseverance. She believes one of the ways to honor her son is to continue to live her life with purpose.
"Recovery has given me a future, and I want anyone who is struggling to know they have a future, also," Briones said. "You may not be able to see it now, but as long as you are still alive, your story is being written."
