By JIM FARIS
With Memorial Day here, MidCity Excellence is hosting an event to help people help those who are struggling with addiction. The YouthCity Health & Wellness Opioid Prevention Training is a free event, focused on community members who work with vulnerable people dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues.
“It is difficult to appreciate freedom externally when internally someone feels broken, abandoned, hopeless, or emotionally trapped,” Kimberly Warren, CEO of MidCity Excellence, said in a release. “Substances may promise escape, but they cannot return love, purpose, identity, or healing. Our goal is to help youth and families rediscover connection, value, resilience, and hope through positive community experiences.”
According to national health data, millions of Americans struggle with opioid misuse and addiction. Organizers say many addictions do not begin with someone intentionally seeking hard drugs. Sometimes dependency begins after a sports injury, surgery, chronic pain issues, car accidents, or emotional trauma. Prescription pain medications may initially help physically, but long-term misuse and dependency can create devastating consequences.
MidCity leaders say many youth and adults are attempting to numb emotional pain with substances that ultimately cannot love them back or restore their sense of worth.
The training experience is today, from noon to 5 PM at the ROC Gym, 2606 Sycamore Court in St. Joseph. The first 100 attendees will receive a free catered lunch including fried and baked chicken, baked beans, potato salad, watermelon, cookies, and drinks. RSVP is required, please contact (816) 294-4727.