“Even though I’ve like gone through recovery and treatment,” She said. “It’s important to me because there’s still so many people that don’t feel like that can come forward or that their voice is heard.”
Today Meeks works with the Indiana Recovery Alliance in Bloomington helping those affected by drug addiction find resources, support groups and ways for recovery.
“We have people who still die alone in bathrooms and that’s completely preventable,” Meeks said.
During the vigil, members of the Indiana Recovery Alliance, city officials and community members were reaching out to those affected by the opioid crisis. Christopher Abert, Vigil Host and Director of Indiana Recovery Alliance says support is the most important part of recovery.
“Often times when you’re in those vulnerable populations we feel very isolated,” he said. “We want to bring everybody out and let’em know that we love them.”
The vigil gave people the chance to share the names and stories of those passed due to drug addiction; some brought photos and memorabilia and others simply whispered names.
Forest Gilmore, Executive Director of the Shalom Communnity Center in Bloomington, led the vigil’s group prayer and moment of silence.
“We remember those who are not allowed to openly grieve because of how people judged the way our loved ones have died,” Gilmore said.
The Indiana Recovery Alliance says they want to decriminalize drug addicts through their Harm Reduction campaign. Bloomington City Officials, including Mayor John Hamilton, were in attendance to show their support for the Indiana Recovery Alliance. They gave a proclamation stating their commitment towards fighting against the opioid epidemic.
Amanda Barge, president of the county commissioners, says it’s important for people to know their local government doesn’t want to condemn addicts.
“I think everyone knows someone who’s experienced substance use disorder or chaotic drug use…everyone,” Barge said. “Whether it’s your neighbor or a coworker, your mom, whether it’s you…and in terms of government we want you to know you’re not alone.”
Drug related deaths in Monroe County have decreased following their needle exchange program and overdose reversal training. Using the drug known as Narcan or Naloxone, the reversal training was demonstrated at the vigil by the Indiana Recovery Alliance. The city also provides a resource guide for additional ways to seek help.
The Indiana Recovery Alliance says overcoming the fear of calling 911 in an overdose can be the difference between life and death. They say they want to reduce the stigma surrounding drug addiction so that more users can seek help. Whitney Meeks from the Indiana Recovery Alliance, says they want more people to have access to clean needles or the opioid overdose reversal drug.
“There’s so many people, you know who don’t want to keep using, you know they’d rather die,” she said. “There’s simply no way out…but there is now, now that we have programs like this.”
The vigil closed with a candle lighting and a unified prayer. There was also complete 90 day in-patient recovery treatments given out to two individuals in attendance. For more information about what the community is doing to combat the opioid crisis, visit the Indiana Recovery Alliances website.