2nd Annual Charity Event in Punta Gorda, Florida Supports New County “Addiction Recovery Initiative”

ARCHway Institute recently held the 2nd Annual Charity Golf-Lunch-Silent Auction event at Twin Isles Country Club on Saturday, March 19. The purpose of the event was to raise money and awareness about the issues surrounding addiction disease in our city, county and country. The event raised over $15,000. Half the proceeds, or $7,500, will be donated to CBHC and be used to support the “Addiction Recovery Initiative” created by the Sheriff’s Department and CBHC. This initiative allows individuals with a drug addiction disease to go to the Sheriff’s Department and turn their drugs in without being arrested. The individual will then be put into an MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) Recovery Program at CBHC regardless of their financial situation. These funds will be used as scholarships to help pay for treatment for individuals who do not have the financial resources for their program

In addition, city and county officials came to the event and spoke at the lunch about the issues and steps being taken locally to battle alcohol and drug addiction that is becoming an epidemic in our country. This includes Vice Mayor Kim Devine and Drug Free Punta Gorda Director Chrissie Salazar talking about addiction prevention through education and awareness programs aimed at our teens through programs like DFPG and D-Fy. Sheriff Prummell and Police Chief Lewis talked about the criminal and legal impact in our area around addiction disease and the need for programs like “Addiction Recovery Initiative.” Fire Chief Briggs talked of the impact of prescription drug abuse and the need to dispose unused prescription drugs through Operation Medicine Cabinet. Take your unused prescription medicines to disposal containers at the police, sheriff’s or fire department. ARCHway President John Stuckey said that nine out of ten individuals seeking help nationally are turned away because of lack of beds and lack of money. Most times as little as $500 is the difference between individuals getting help and individuals being turned away. CBHC Public Relations Director Jessica Potts talked about the MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment Program) at CBHC and how $15,000 will help between 30-40 people get into treatment locally and nationally.