Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services will host a four-part educational series, “Our Kids Know About Drugs. Do We?,” that begins on Oct. 10 at its Shirley and Barton Weisman Delray Community Center, 7091 W. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. The series is part of the agency’s JFS CARES (Community Awareness, Resources and Education for Jewish families with loved ones with Substance Use Disorders) initiative.
Each event will take place from 6-8 p.m. and will be facilitated by experts in the field and focus on critical areas that parents, grandparents, educators, synagogue professionals and those in the community who are interested in learning more about this topic, need to know.
The series begins with “Recovery 101-What is an Addict?” presented by Andrew Burki, founder for Life Of Purpose Treatment Center, in Boca Raton on Oct. 10. He will present an understanding of the diagnosis of substance use disorder, a current perspective of people’s approach to the health crisis, solutions and what people can do to help. On Nov. 12, Heather Howard, assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work, will present “Stigma, Shame and the Family – How Can We Help?” Howard is currently engaged in research specifically focused on the stigma associated with substance use disorders and the pervasive affects it has on our community, especially when seeking help for individuals and families. The series continues on Dec. 18 with the presentation “Legal Perspective – Why are addicts treated like criminals?” by attorney Mark Astor and Adam G. It concludes on Jan. 15 with the presentation “Spirituality and Recovery – What Judaism teaches us about recovery” by Rabbi Meir Kessler, founder and director for Jewish Recovery Center in Boca Raton, and Rabbi Dan Levin, senior rabbi of Temple Beth El in Boca Raton.
Danielle Hartman, Rales JFS’ president and chief executive officer, said “JFS CARES was created in response to the continued upward trend of fatalities within our area.”
“Palm Beach County recorded nearly 600 fatal overdoses in 2017 [according to a February 2018 report from Palm Healthcare Foundation]. Unfortunately, this disease has claimed the lives of several young adults in our community and JFS, in partnership with the Jewish Federation, felt like the time was right for us to move in this direction.”
As part of the agency’s outreach effort, Sharon Burns-Carter, a certified addiction counselor, has joined its team to address the impact of substance use and related disorders on families by engaging with local spiritual leaders, professionals and educators to raise awareness and address the stigma associated with this mental health issue.
Although all of the events in the series are free, RSVPs are required. Register at ralesjfs.org/jfscares or by calling the agency’s education hotline at 561-852-5044.