By Jeff Murphy,
October 5, 2015
WARRENSBURG, MO – Sadie Purinton and Nicholle Scheibe, two University of Central Missouri
Child and Family Development majors who co-founded Recovery Central at UCM, were among
20 recovery leaders across the state of Missouri to be awarded scholarships to attend
the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally Oct. 4 in Washington, D.C.
According to the Missouri Recovery Network (MRN), the UCM students joined about 100
Missourians to participate in this event. As such, they helped launch a first-of-its-kind
campaign to confront what rally supporters calls America's denial about the most urgent
health crisis affecting the U.S. today - addiction to alcohol and drugs.
With the help of faculty advisor, Adriatik Likcani, Purinton, a senior from Warrensburg,
and Scheibe, a student from Harrisonville who earned a bachelor’s degree in May and
is taking classes toward a graduate degree, created Recovery Central to support those
in recovery and those who come from families with addiction. Recovery Central is a
resource for students who may not have a place to share their struggles and concerns.
Prior to attending the event, Scheibe said she was proud to be part of the movement
to advocate recovery. In an essay that contributed to her scholarship, she talked
about why she was looking forward to attending the event in Washington, D.C.
“Attending the UNITE to Face Addiction rally will be an incredible experience. It
will combine all of the individual stories I have witnessed or heard, stories of resiliency
and strength, bring them all together on a larger scale. This rally represents the
true faces of addiction, recovery, and all those whose lives are adversely impacted
by substances.”
MRN is a statewide voice for recovery from substance abuse disorders and an organizing
partner for UNITE to Face Addiction, which took place on the National Mall. More than
20 recovery-oriented organizations across Missouri also are partnering for the event.
Information provided by MRN notes that one in 13 individuals in the state suffers
from a substance use disorder, and Missouri has the nation’s highest drug overdose
rate. Deaths due to heroin more than tripled in just four years, increasing by 254
percent from 69 deaths in 2007 to 244 deaths in 2011.
A nonprofit organization with a membership base of more than 4,000 individuals, MRN’s
mission is to promote awareness of substance use disorders and strengthen recovery.
Its vision is to eliminate barriers to recovery for all affected by substance use
disorders. A grassroots statewide advocacy organization, MRN helps share public attitudes,
policies, and opportunities for individuals who are in recovery from a substance use
disorder or who are seeking recovery. Its priorities include improving community and
public understanding of addiction and recovery;
improving access to statewide recovery services; reducing stigma and discrimination
associated with addiction and recovery; eliminating barriers to recovery and developing
recovery resources.
In addition to inspirational speakers from many walks of life who have been affected
by addiction, remarks by celebrities, elected officials and other advocates, UNITE
to Face Addition will feature musical performances by individuals and groups such
as Joe Walsh, Steven Tyler with his Nashville-based band, Loving Mary, Sheryl Crow,
Jason Isbell, The Fray, and Ohn Rzesnik of the Goo Good Dolls. They will join together
to change the conversation around, and bring new solutions with regard to addiction
in America.
The UNITE to Face Addiction rally is being organized by Facing Addiction Inc., a 501(c)3
organization dedicated to finding solutions to the addiction crisis, as well as an
independent coalition of national, state, and local non-profit organizations. To learn
more, visit FacingAddiction.org.
