Fall Newsletter

Drug Crisis in our Backyard is happy to announce the first issue of our quarterly newsletter.  This gives us the opportunity to introduce our not-for-profit community action organization to those new to us. Drug Crisis in our Backyard was founded in June of 2012 after the death of our oldest son Justin and the Christiansen’s son Erik to an overdose. We speak for all the families that wish they could have done more to save their loved ones. To that end, we started DCIOBY, we got connected with treatment facilities, local prevention councils, local governmental units, we got educated on treatments that have better outcomes, connected with addiction prescribers, therapists and certified peer recovery advocates.  We learned what we didn’t know so that we could help families navigate the chaos created by the disease of addiction.
Our Mission then and now: 

• Bring awareness of the rampant use of prescription and illegal drugs in our community
• To reduce stigma associated with addiction by educating and informing the public at large that addiction is a disease.
• To assist individuals who are addicted or at risk, and their families by providing resources and support
• To advocate on relevant issues that promote and enhance the recovery community.

September is National Recovery Month and Drug Crisis in our Backyard is excited to be sponsoring our 7th Run for Recovery with our partners Search for Change and Run4Recovery. We are happy to say that this year the run will be hybrid. The in-person date is September 25, 2021, and the virtual run is the month of September.  The purpose of the Run is to celebrate recovery, reduce the stigma associated with mental health and substance and provide resources for all those seeking information.  All details can be found on the flyer below and here.

COVID was very detrimental to us as it was for many organizations that depend on community outreach to get their information to the general public.  However, we did prevail and our support group that had been meeting at the Mahopac Library and Yorktown Cultural Center went virtual via zoom in March 2020. Since then, our reach has expanded and we have people who come from different parts of the country.  Our support group is a combination of education and peer support. (Link to the support group) We practice strategies to influence change in a loved one’s behavior. These strategies are taken from the CRAFT model (Community Reinforcement and Family Training). We are having a full training on Oct. 16th via zoom from 9:30-2:00 PM. This session will be conducted by the Center for Motivation and Change. Registration is required here.

Drug Crisis in our Backyard works with many coalitions and providers in Westchester and Putnam Counties to provide resources for families. These resources may include help for a loved one misusing drugs or it may be for the family members that are in turmoil because of the devastating effects of addiction. In either case, we have professionals that can help. Please feel free to reach out to us via our website at www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.org

Sincerely,

Susan Salomone
Founder and Executive Director