Springfield Cares group to help with recovery
SPRINGFIELD >> Township officials and the community came together to create a new organization — Springfield Cares — to fight the opioid epidemic.
“We started this out of concern for our community because addiction is killing people across the country. It’s a terrible, terrible affliction,” Jeff Rudolph, chairman of the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners, said at a press conference.
The group consists of judicial, elected officials, law enforcement, medical experts and school officials along with residents within the community who have been effected by addiction. The organization started meeting in April and will be distributing literature to residents at National Night Out on Aug. 2 from 6-9 p.m. at the Springfield Country Club.
“Citizens and community leaders have said enough is enough. We wanted to do something grassroots in our town. There are national things and local things but we wanted to be a local resource in our area to get help and to educate our community. Its concerning when our rate of six or seven Narcan saves is growing,” said Rudolph, referring to the drug that sometimes can save the lives of those who have overdosed on opioids. “These are people who get a second chance but unfortunately they go right back. Recovery is not perfect, families are distraught going thorough this and we need to give support and help them find information.”
The Springfield community, as the rest of the country, has experienced deaths from opioids and heroin addiction, according to Springfield Police Sgt. Joe Sadoff.
He noted that the opioid epidemic is not unique to Springfield. One hundred and twenty nine addicts die each day in this country, according to the Addiction Policy Forum.
“We want to navigate and direct within our community, the right resources whether it be treatment, recovery or AA or NA or any other form of recovery, we will help those locate the proper channels. We are working closely with schools strategically to set up opportunities, in the middle and high schools about the resources in the community and the effect it has on the community as well as the parents,” said Sean Rodgers of Humble Beginnings Recovery Centers.
“With over 300 Narcan saves in Delaware County, we want to be proactive. We have to be combative with resources and give those (with addiction) an opportunity to change so we are not seeing the same stuff over and over,” said Rodgers.
Springfield Cares has started a Facebook page and a website. It is currently in the process of forming as not-profit organization and will solicit government funds to promote its mission.
Individuals of the Springfield community can contact township Manager Lee Fulton at lfulton@springfieldelco.org or 610-5441300. Individuals with a family emergency can contact Sean Rodgers at 610931-3498. Rogers works with Humble Beginnings Recovery Centers Regional Outreach.