Drug Crisis in Our Backyard
Donation protected
Addiction does not discriminate. Individuals from every religion, age, gender, SES, and race, struggle tirelessly to break from the shackles of substance dependence.
In 2012, I began volunteering at a substance abuse treatment and research facility. Embarrassingly, I pursued the work less out of the ‘goodness of my heart,’ and more so to fill a resume gap. I grew up in an insular Modern Orthodox Jewish community, which has tremendous strengths, yet left me ill informed as to what it meant for one to be “an addict.” Slapped with shocking realities, I was quickly disabused of my prior, damaging misconceptions.
Time and time again, I find myself sitting on the “other side,” eye to teary eye, with broken young adults, whose lives have been demolished to unimaginable shambles simply by a pill, genetics, and often, an unfavorable hand in life. These guys, my age, should have been my buddies, my classmates, and my future colleagues.
I sit way too comfortably on the “other side” and it is about time that I get up and run.
This January 24th I will be running Miami’s ING Half Marathon. I am proud to be running for the charity: Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. http://www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.com
The couple who founded and actively run DCOB, Susan and Steve Salomone, know the pain too well. In 2012, their son Justin, 29, lost his battle to a heroine addiction. Instead of succumbing to despair, this couple united in action. Through Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, they promote awareness and treatment of opiate addiction by providing education, family-support-groups, community events, and appropriate treatment referrals to those in need. They empower countless families, who until now have struggled alone, in silence, often unaware that treatment options even exist. The charity has sent powerful vibrations through various communities throughout New York. This energy continues as they spread awareness on a national level, through continued legislative advocacy and the building of community support centers.
All proceeds of my run will go directly into the life saving initiatives of this non-for profit, 501 (c)(3), grass-roots charity. Though solo, I will be running in the names of the countless individuals who have lost their lives to addiction.
Thank you for your time, energy, and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ari Barris
In 2012, I began volunteering at a substance abuse treatment and research facility. Embarrassingly, I pursued the work less out of the ‘goodness of my heart,’ and more so to fill a resume gap. I grew up in an insular Modern Orthodox Jewish community, which has tremendous strengths, yet left me ill informed as to what it meant for one to be “an addict.” Slapped with shocking realities, I was quickly disabused of my prior, damaging misconceptions.
Time and time again, I find myself sitting on the “other side,” eye to teary eye, with broken young adults, whose lives have been demolished to unimaginable shambles simply by a pill, genetics, and often, an unfavorable hand in life. These guys, my age, should have been my buddies, my classmates, and my future colleagues.
I sit way too comfortably on the “other side” and it is about time that I get up and run.
This January 24th I will be running Miami’s ING Half Marathon. I am proud to be running for the charity: Drug Crisis in Our Backyard. http://www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.com
The couple who founded and actively run DCOB, Susan and Steve Salomone, know the pain too well. In 2012, their son Justin, 29, lost his battle to a heroine addiction. Instead of succumbing to despair, this couple united in action. Through Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, they promote awareness and treatment of opiate addiction by providing education, family-support-groups, community events, and appropriate treatment referrals to those in need. They empower countless families, who until now have struggled alone, in silence, often unaware that treatment options even exist. The charity has sent powerful vibrations through various communities throughout New York. This energy continues as they spread awareness on a national level, through continued legislative advocacy and the building of community support centers.
All proceeds of my run will go directly into the life saving initiatives of this non-for profit, 501 (c)(3), grass-roots charity. Though solo, I will be running in the names of the countless individuals who have lost their lives to addiction.
Thank you for your time, energy, and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ari Barris
Organizer and beneficiary
Ari Barris
Organizer
134th Street, NY
Susan Salomone
Beneficiary