Spectrum Outreach hosts Take Back the Streets

 

An event on Saturday helped to raise awareness of substance abuse and treatment options in Lawrence County.

Spectrum Outreach Services hosted a Take Back the Streets street fair at the Ironton Farmers Market, featuring speakers, music, food and more.

“It’s National Recovery Week,” Amy Miller, operation manager for the group said. “We’re just trying to draw attention and raise awareness to addiction in our area.”

One of the groups teaming up for the event with Spectrum was The Adams-Lawrence-Scioto County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Service Board (ADAMHS).

Susan Shultz said Spectrum contracts with the group to provide treatment and counseling services.

“We help pay so that people can get better and lead productive lives,” she said.

The group was also distributing information on a 1.5 mil levy that will go before voters in November. The 10-year levy would help to pay for services for ADAMHS, she said.

A number of speakers took the stage to share their recovery stories.

One of them was Jacqueline Cox, 24, of Chesapeake.

A graduate of Chesapeake High and Collins Career Technical Center, she is a rapper under the name J. Goddess and has had her work licensed by MTV.

Referring to herself a “hope dealer,” she said she wanted to tell of her struggle to inspire others.

“In 2011, I overdosed on opiates,” Cox said.

She said that, in her recovery, she had found purpose through her artistry.

“Music is what saved my life,” she said. “It’s my drug.”

She said she has recently worked with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams on addiction issues, noting that the city recently had 26 overdoses in a 24-hour period.

“I’ve been given an opportunity to help people find hope,” she said, adding that the mayor and others in power can now treat her as someone with integrity and dignity.

Cox said she hopes to do a scientific study with Williams to how music affects the brain and affects neurotransmitters.

In addition to highlighting addiction issues, the event offered family friendly activities, such as inflatables, face painting and a visit from Batman, Batgirl and the Batmobile.

“We wanted to have a free event and give kids something to do,” Miller said.