On this episode of Road to Recovery host James Sutton is joined by Aden Drolsum, the Sheppard Pratt program manager at MoCo ReConnect.  The MoCo ReConnect Drop-in Center is a unique approach in Montgomery County as the only dedicated youth space specifically centering the needs of youth ages 16-24, particularly those impacted by housing insecurity and seeking alternative opportunities to traditional education pathways. MoCo ReConnect values youth as decision-makers and has centered the design of the space and programming around the voice of our Youth Action Board. The Drop-in center brings together, for the first time under one roof, a collaboration of agencies providing outreach, case management, education, housing assistance, and employment training. Aden Drolsum, LMSW, (they/them) serves as the Sheppard Pratt program manager at MoCo ReConnect. They began practicing as a licensed master social worker in Maryland after relocating from Nashville, TN. Prior to their work with MoCo ReConnect and Sheppard Pratt, Aden worked in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County middle schools providing mental health therapy to students. In their free time, they are actively pursuing a yoga instructor certification and enjoy pursuing creative activities and hanging out with their partner and two cats, Artemis and Frida. Visit mocoreconnect.org for more information. ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

Rachael Cooper, the Senior Director of The National Stigma Initiative of Shatterproof is James Sutton's guest on this episode of Road to Recovery. Shatterproof is a national non-profit organization who have worked on the addiction and overdose crisis for the past 10 years. It was founded after the passing of Brian Mendell in 2011, who was the son of the CEO Gary Mendell. His passing related to substance abuse, inspired Gary to launch Shatterproof. He believed no family should be shattered or devastated by addiction, a preventable and treatable disease. Shatterproof is made up of many components like Prevention, Recovery, Stigma Reduction, and Education. A lot of the work being done in prevention focuses on education. Prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction is all needed to create long lasting and effective change. Shatterproof works a lot on Grassroots with people who have lived experiences and have been personally impacted from overdose or substance use. Learn about the Shatterproof Ambassador Program, the National Stigma Initiative, and the levels of support of healthcare coverage. There are many ways to recovery, find one that suits you. For more information visit Shatterproof.org. Watch this episode of Road To Recovery and subscribe! ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

James Sutton, host of Road To Recovery has guest Laurie Bombay, a Therapist and Supervisor of Mental Health at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Boyds. She also, is a coworker of James and explains the treatment for the inmates. Laurie works together with a group of 5 therapist to provide for the mental health of the jail's population. This team provides assessments and provides behavior plans and treatment plans in the mental health housing. Also, they provide as needed mental health services to inmates in the general population. It is a very busy environment and a lot of the inmates are really ill. These are hard patients to take care of because most don't believe they have a disease and they refuse treatment. Smoking weed and using opioids is not a treatment for trauma. If we worked on treating trauma in children and adolescents who have been experiencing trauma or has been exposed to trauma, we would probably see a lot less of these problems in Facilities. A lot of people begin using as a response to a traumatic experience. Laurie believes that if we really cared about crime and reducing crime, we would get better as a society at treating trauma because a lot of it stems from it, but people still have personal responsibility regardless. There are 3 units. The Men's Unit holds up to 40, but typically has 32-35 inmates. The Women's Unit can only hold up to 14 and they have 21 and they are in other areas. The Step Down Unit has 20 male inmates. There is a shortage of nurses and therapists, really all support staff which creates challenges. Montgomery County Organizations that are Great Mental Health Resources: Montgomery County Crisis Center Mountygomery County Health and Human Services National Alliance on Mental Illness  Everymind Watch this episode of Road To Recovery below and subscribe! ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

James Sutton host of Road To Recovery is talking to Ben Westhoff a Journalist and Author of Fentanyl, Inc. Learn about the start of fentanyl, who is dealing these drugs, who is using these drugs, and how all illicit fentanyl comes from China today. Westhoff tells about his experience going undercover in China to discover who is creating these drugs and how are they moving them to the United States. China doesn't have a problem with fentanyl in their country because their people don't take it, so they are financially motivated to continue production. Chemist continue to manipulate molecules, tweaking them slightly, so it is considered legal. Creating synthetic drugs like K2, Spice, or Bath Salts. Westhoff explains the new culture of synthetic drugs that are being sold today. These drugs can be found on the dark web, snapchat, and other apps. This is seen as a harm reduction and is creating a false sense of safety. Everyone who is using drugs should be using a drug testing kit. Montgomery County actually gives out test strips for fentanyl and provide other harm reduction services. For more information on Ben Westhoff please visit: BenWesthoff.com. ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

James Sutton host of Road To Recovery invited Nicole Gately, CAC-AD-CCS the Clinical Director for Maryland Treatment Center’s Emmitsburg location. She has been working with the co-occurring population for over twenty-five years. Her passion for working with the resistant client has played a crucial role in the development and continued success in the programs at the Emmitsburg location. The facilities in Emmitsburg are Mountain Manor, Safe Harbor, and New Horizon. It is like a college campus with a multi tier level of care. Thou this facility is elite because of the services and programs. The average length of stay is 4-6 months and most instances its not enough time. Unfortunately Insurance companies dictate how long individuals are allowed to stay instead of medical doctors. Nicole believes that the incarcerated population get left behind and aren't afforded opportunities, but are expected to change for the better. It takes time to build trust, self esteem, and relationships. Time to drop their wall and trust the treatment, time they aren't allowed. Mountain Manor 3.7wm (Detox and Stabilization) Safe Harbor 3.3 Longterm residential women and children New Horizon 3.3-3.5 Longterm co-occurring re-entry from corrections Contact: 301-447-2360 or 1-800-53 REHAB ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

This episode of Road To Recovery, host James Sutton invites one of his mentors Phil Valentine, the Executive Director of Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) to discuss the different paths to recovery. CCAR trains 80,000 Recovery Coaches worldwide. A Recovery Coach promotes recovery and removes barriers and obstacles to recovery. Recovery Coaches serve as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking or already in recovery from an addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs. People don't necessarily need to be in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to be in recovery. If someone says they are in recovery, then trust their process within reason. Tree of Hope Recovery Center, the first recovery center in Montgomery County recently opened with a fantastic response from the community. It is a recovery oriented sanctuary in the heart of the community, so people can come with their family members, friends, allies, who come there to actively work on their recovery. The Recovery Center recently started incorporating different activities like 12 step meetings, trainings, teaching CCAR, and they are working on offering smart recovery. Phil Valentine shares that treatment is very important, but people really recover in the community. People are looking for a safe place to get holistic help and get a better quality of life and can find it with CCAR training, Recovery Coaches, and Recovery Centers. The way you promote recovery is to saturate an are with people in recovery. Recovery is contagious and more and more people will find it! ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

A new episode of Road to Recovery with guest Johnnie Duvall an Alumni of Jail Addiction Services (JAS), shares his experience in recovery which was his first time in treatment and it stuck. JAS Program is like going to drug school according to host James Sutton who is part of the staff. In the JAS Program you are called out by name and receive punishments by others in the program called Motivators. It is a Therapeutic Community...Community is the real core aspect of recovery needed to succeed. By seeing others succeed in the JAS Program and by returning to their former selves participants like Johnnie, establishes the norm of being responsible, instead of in jail or on the streets were the norm is vastly different. This calm environment encourages positive behavior and self reflection, it is not about being tough. You are rewarded for making the right choices on a regular basis. JAS also provides hands on training on how to do tasks and jobs and learn to be responsible and accountable. People change when they have a job and they don't event realized it. Johnnie realized he was a slave to a drag and wanted different for himself. Johnnie went from an 8505 8507 motion which is a reconsideration from a crime motivated by drug use. Instead of jail you go to treatment. Johnnie started with JAS then continued his recovery process in jail for 6 1/2 years with a 12 step program running meetings himself. When he left jail he went to another program for 90 days at New Horizon. Here he was getting acclimated to again to the outside world. It was hard to transition from jail to this program, but they provided a Therapeutic Community too. Johnnie was motivated to change and completed Drug Court, a 2 year program in 17 months. He also completed Recovery Coach Academy and helps people with recovery at the new mens shelter. Johnnie continues to tell his story in order to help others in their Road To Recovery. ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

James Sutton, host of Road To Recovery interviews Ben Stevenson, the manager for Harm Reduction Services at Health and Human Services in Montgomery County. Harm Reduction Services include Narcan education and training, Syringe Services, and Sex Education. Narcan is a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. The staff has been conducting street outreach efforts in some of the hardest hit areas in the county. Walking up and down the streets training people on how to use Narcan and providing a free kit on the spot. They are focused on saturating the community and educating people that no matter what you look like or where you come from you are not immune to saving a life with Narcan. How do you reach IV Drug Users in Montgomery County? -Harm Reduction staff goes in the community, doing out reach in various areas. -Partners with organizations that regularly engage with IV drug users and directly refer them. -By word of mouth. Personal referral from some one that has used the services is a big way. When people know their is a nonjudgmental, compassionate environment that they can feel comfortable getting services, they will seek them. Aren’t you just contributing to the problem and helping people use? -Harm Reduction mitigates the negative consequences that a person may experience from their harmful behavior, like contracting diseases or viruses. -They focus on supporting health and wellbeing and eliminating overdoses. -It is also a viable entry point to recovery. -Not helping to use, but helping to be safer and hopefully sustain their life till they are ready for recovery. The Syringe Service Program (SSP) SSP is an entry level place to connect people with services. Since Covid there was a jump in numbers, so the SSP is trying to reach people where they are located.Plus, the needle program doesn’t require you to turn in needles to get needles. A minimum of 50 needles are given at at time. Needles are also collected to be disposed of safely. Additional services include a nurse on staff to help with would care services. Free HIV Testing and Hepatitis C Testing are available. As well as education about safer sex practices. For more information call 240.777.1836, email overdoseresponseprogram@montgomerycountymd.gov, or visit MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/Opioids. ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.

Watch James Sutton, host of Road to Recovery talk to guest Emily Brown, the Program Manager for, Ending the HIV Epidemic. In February 2019, Montgomery County was named as one of the priority jurisdictions included in the federal initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America. This identification is based upon evidence that we, along with 57 other geographic focus areas, contribute 50% of the new HIV cases in the U.S. each year. Along with our neighbors Prince George's County and Washington, DC, we are building a plan to end HIV with the resources and support from this national initiative to reach the overarching goal of reducing new HIV infections by 90% by 2030. The Plan: Pillar 1: Diagnose all people with HIV as early as possible Pillar 2: Treat people with HIV rapidly and effectively to reach sustained viral suppression Pillar 3: Prevent new HIV transmissions by using proven interventions, including preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Pillar 4: Respond quickly to potential HIV outbreaks to get prevention and treatment services to people who need them We developed our plan to End HIV based on feedback from health care experts, community members living with or at-risk for HIV, and community leaders along with county epidemiology data. Do it for Montgomery County. Together we can End HIV. For more information visit DoItForYouMC.org or call 240.777.1760.  ----------- Connect with MMCTV online: https://www.mmctv.org/ Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUuQ-ztb-QetB7TmIscDvg Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMCTVCHANNEL16/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmctv16 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerymunicipalcable16/ Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMCTV) is a government access station in Montgomery County, MD. MMC was designed to increase community awareness among the citizens of the county by broadcasting municipal events, educational programs and interviews with elected officials and other noteworthy individuals. You can find MMC on Channel 16 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN every evening as well as 24/7 access to our online video archives. Channel 16 is a member of the PEG Network (Public Education and Government) of Montgomery County. We are able to provide programming due to the continued support from the municipalities within the county. We are located in the Kensington Town Hall/Armory. We have a state of the art, all virtual studio which allows us to change the background for each of our programs. All of our programs are produced and hosted by municipal and county residents who volunteer their time as a way of communicating a topic they are passionate about for the residents of Montgomery County. MMC’s programming includes shows that provide the public with information pertaining to health and wellness, politics, business, the arts and life planning including services, organizations and local events. We also have programs for the Hispanic community. Whether you’re looking to hear from your elected officials about what’s going on in our community or if you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home, MMC has something of interest for everyone in the county.