Day set for remembering those lost to drugs

Memorial Day is celebrated each May to remember those who died while serving the nation in the armed forces.

But another day of memorials will be noted across Chester County and the rest of the country later this month to remember those who have fallen for another reason: addiction.

The county’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Services announced this week that it would participate in a “National Day of Remembrance” on Jan. 29 as a way of honoring and remembering people who have fallen victim to the disease of drug and alcohol addiction. The county will be joining communities that encourage individuals and organizations to come together and remember those affected.

“In 2015, 63 people died from drug overdose in Chester County, leaving behind devastated family and friends,” said commissioners’ Chairwoman Michelle Kichline, who has devoted time and effort to the issue since taking office. “With the sadness of these losses, comes the reminder that addiction is a disease that does not discriminate against age, race, gender or socioeconomic status.

“It’s estimated that currently, nearly 35,000 people in Chester County are suffering from some sort of substance use disorder,” she added, explaining that such occurs when a person uses a substance, such as alcohol or another drug, and the use results in physical, behavioral, or social problems

at school, work or home.

“Over time, substance use may lead to dependence, which means the person begins using the substance to function ‘normally’ in order to prevent them from going into withdrawal from that substance,” said Vince Brown, executive director of the county’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Services.

“Withdrawal is the group of symptoms that can occur when a person has decreased use or is no longer using alcohol or any other drug after dependence has occurred,” he said. “Alcohol or any other drug withdrawal can include emotional,

physical, behavioral, or physiological symptoms, and, as we know all too well, can be life-threatening.”

Activities taking place in the county throughout the commemorative weekend include a moment of silence on Friday at 9:30 a.m, and a memorial service from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, hosted by Pennsylvania Recovery Organization-Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT), at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church, 426 W. Gay St., West Chester. This service will include featured speakers, songs, and a celebration of life and remembrance through the reading of names of those in the county lost to the disease.

The county does offer drug and alcohol treatment

services and other resources. Those concerned can call one of the following agencies for help: Gaudenzia Coatesville at 610-3839600; Mirmont Outpatient at 484-565-1130; Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems at 610-388-9225; Creative Health Services at 610-9331223; or Gaudenzia West Chester at 610-429-1414.

For further questions or additional resources, log onto the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services website at www.chesco.org/216/DrugAlcohol-Services, or call the Chester County Information and Referral line at 866-286-3767.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.