CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. (KFVS) – A major conference in Heartland today focusing on mental health addiction.
More than 200 people from across Missouri gathered at Sikeston to discuss ways to improve care.
State Senator Holly Reeder said the first step would be to raise community awareness and remove the stigma associated with drug addiction.
“I’m a long-term recovery person myself, but God has blessed me,” said Rehder.
For the past 50 years, Reverend Ruddell Flowers has been recovering from drug addiction. He shares his own experience to raise more awareness.
“Sadly enough the community shunned it, the community was embarrassed, it was a stigma and the exact opposite of what we really needed. But I think we’re starting to wake up now. Communities have a role to play in accepting and helping people,” Flowers said.
That’s why the Southeast Missouri Recovery Alliance has brought together other recovery providers across the state.
“One of the things that differentiates us in Southeast Missouri is that treatment and recovery go hand in hand. and recovery is a long-term process along a continuum,” said Chairman Ronnie Sells.
Flowers says he is a witness that recovery is possible.
“Community is a place of healing. When you’re out drinking and drinking, you feel like you’re alone, isolated from your family, embarrassed, and don’t want to tell anyone. Are you , I really don’t think anyone else knows or feels what you’re going through. A community that comes together shows love, there’s hope and you’re not alone,” Flowers said. I got
Each year, the Southeast Missouri Recovery Alliance helps approximately 30,000 people struggling with addiction.
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