Menu
TOP STORY OF THE DAY - One life saved has the power to save many generations
The second Annual Overdose Awareness Day was held on August 31 at Forest Park. Mayor Brian Wyndham proclaimed August 31 International Overdose Awareness Day in Brazil, IN.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 106,000 people in the U.S. died from a drug overdose, including illicit and prescription drugs, in 2021.
However, as Michael Hadley explains, this is more than a regional or national problem; it's a global one.
"It's International Overdose Awareness Day, so it's not just only for a city, a state, a country, it's for the world."
With deaths from overdose on the rise and changing countless lives forever, this event helps to remember those lost. It provides a place to mourn, spread awareness, and inform while helping irradicate the stigmas of overdose and addiction.
Hadley explains he was thrilled with this year's turnout.
"I was more than satisfied. We had a great turnout on the vendors, the resources available to the community, not just those in recovery. I think we had some homeless advocates and resources there, we had children advocates and resources there, mental health resources, and also the fact that we had someone from Indiana State doing an opioid presentation that helped on his scholarship, that was a blessing in itself, right there," said Hadley.
Awards were given to front-line workers and local officials. Hadley explains these awards are well deserved.
"Obviously, you want to award the police department, the fire department, and the sheriff department number one because they all deal with overdose on the front lines as far as saving people's lives," described Hadley.
The City of Brazil received awards for front-line commemoration, as well as the hospital, probation department, Phoenix House of Terre Haute, Inside Out Recovery of Brazil, Anabranch Recovery of Terre Haute, Kevin Eckiss, and Shonna Frye.
Hadley says his work and the event will continue. He hopes the event continues to grow and ultimately helps others and brings peace.
"We're going to continue to make it an annual event. This is the second annual event, and our goal is to just continue to reach out to as many people as possible. Maybe someone there in the crowd didn't need it, but someone they may know needed the services available," said Hadley. "I hope and pray it continues to grow and reach as many people as possible. Our mission statement for International Overdose Awareness is one life saved has the power to save many generations."
Hadley has had his fair share of problems but has come out better on the other side. He was released from prison to Inside Out Recovery in May 2022. There, he completed the requirements of his probationary terms and graduated two years early from the program at Inside Out Recovery.
"My story is very common to the men that go to Inside Out Recovery. Went there with nothing, and within a year, I got my license back right away, got a vehicle after working two jobs, riding a bike to work every single day until I got that vehicle," said Hadley.
While residing at Inside Out Recovery, Hadley fought for and won custody of his children. He is currently looking for a place for them to call home. Hadley says proving he's a positive, productive member of society is what Inside Out Recovery's program is based upon.
Hadley, a motivating force, explains willpower is the most crucial step in recovery.
"You've got to want to change. There's many resources available," said Hadley. "If you want help, you're going to be able to find it."
Hadley explains to find resources, you can Google Inside Out Recovery or visit their Facebook page, as well as International Overdose Awareness's Facebook page. Hadley even gives his personal phone number to those in need.
"We have a Facebook page, International Overdose Awareness. You can link the page, and I have a link to my phone where you can directly call me, and I can lead you in the right direction," said Hadley.
Hadley wears many hats regarding International Overdose Awareness and is looking for more volunteers to help spread awareness. Hadley explains that unless donations and sponsors step up, every event comes out of pocket. He hopes to extend this vital movement worldwide and invites others to join him.
"It would be a blessing if anyone ever wanted to donate or do any kind of sponsorship," said Hadley. "My goal is to spread worldwide one day, but obviously, we gotta take one step at a time, and it's almost impossible to do with one person doing it on their own."
If you are looking for resources to help in recovery or want to donate to International Overdose Awareness, please email or call Michael Hadley.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091613550646
