Twin Cities Recovery Project hosts overdose awareness event

Organizations supporting those affected by opioid addiction came together Saturday, August 31, for Twin Cities Recovery Project’s International Overdose Awareness Day event. Held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 1030 West Broadway Ave., the event aimed to raise awareness about the impact of overdoses and connect community members to local resources.

Daniel Weckman, Outreach Manager with Twin Cities Recovery Project, emphasized the importance of bringing diverse communities together. “There are so many people that are impacted from every culture around the world, and we’re just trying to raise awareness that people are dying out here every day,” Weckman said. “A lot of organizations are out here to help them. If you look around, you’re seeing groups from every cultural background… Native American, Hmong, African American, Caucasian; and we’re all coming together to raise awareness.”

Christopher Burks, Program Director at Twin Cities Recovery Project, shared his personal journey as a person in recovery. “It means a lot just recognizing the people that we lost to overdoses. It shows how important it is to be aware of what’s going on in our communities and the drugs that are out there,” Burks said. “I’ve survived overdoses six times. God seemed fit that I needed to be here still. Another reason I do this is to educate the community about addiction. Addiction is a brain disease, not a moral failure. A lot of individuals can’t find their way out of it without support.”

LaTricia Tate, CEO and co-founder of Twin Cities Recovery Project, described the event as a “celebration of life.” She emphasized that people who struggle with addiction are often misunderstood and stigmatized. “They were people… People that had real goals, dreams, aspirations, and they lost their lives to a chemical. It’s what they did, not who they were,” Tate said. “Recovery is possible, and not everybody has to die from this disease. We just have to keep educating and meet people where they are.” Tate’s work is deeply personal. She lost her first-born nephew to a fentanyl overdose in 2021, which fuels her commitment to community education and outreach.

Cynthia Elmore, a long-time Northsider known as Coco, and Wellness Programs Manager for Grief and Trauma at Twin Cities Recovery Project, highlighted the intersection of trauma, mental health, and substance use in recovery. Sharing her own experience with childhood trauma, substance use disorder, and incarceration, Elmore described how these challenges inspired her to work in community wellness. “Recovery is important, but mental health plays a big part in recovery. You can’t treat one without the other,” she said. Elmore is launching a new family-focused grief and trauma program on September 10 to support entire households in navigating recovery together. You can contact her at celmore@tcrinc.org for more information.

Elmore has been clean for 7 years, and says she has been able to do things she never imagined; including going to Paris and taking her kids to Disney Land.

“I love this current life of mine, and that’s what keeps me going,” Elmore said, in a beautifully vulnerable state.

Micheal Moorer, a Recovery Navigator with Twin Cities Recovery Project, emphasized the power of peer support. “We’re trying to change one life at a time,” Moorer said. “Sometimes we need to stop talking about issues and walk the walk… Especially when it comes to getting young kids and those struggling with addiction the support they need.”

Moorer moved to Minneapolis from his hometown, Milwaukee, where he says there is a huge deficit in addiction support and other crucial resources in an already disadvantaged community. “Minneapolis is very lucky to have programs available to those seeking help… Milwaukee got rid of those 30 years ago.”

Tasha Armstrong, a program participant, shared how she found her path to recovery through the support of friends, pointing to Moore, and the program. “Twin Cities Recovery Project is very supportive, very educational, and they care about your needs,” Armstrong said. “Addiction can make you feel like nobody cares, but here, people love you. You can take the first step and walk into a building, and they’ll help you the rest of the way.” Armstrong, who is overcoming 26 years of addiction, says she has graduated but will be transitioning to aftercare to maintain her sobriety with program support.

As photos of locals lost to drug overdose lined the gate surrounding the event, it is clear events like these are important in dismantling barriers to treatment and support. Twin Cities Recovery Project and partnering organizations offer culturally responsive services, including counseling, support groups, harm reduction services, and pathways to treatment and recovery.

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed globally each year to remember those lost to overdoses and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction. Local events, like the one hosted by Twin Cities Recovery Project, play a critical role in educating the public and connecting residents to life-saving resources.

To get involved, catch Twin Cities Recovery Project at Open Streets West Broadway on September 6th, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.twincitiesrecoveryproject.org for more information.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com