Post-Pandemic Update
Our state needs help! Drug problems didn’t go away with the pandemic. We need to work together to clean up our state. ~Rev. Brian Fesler
Date: June 28, 2021
Time: 7:00pm – 7:30pm
Venue: Church of Scientology Community Room
Address: 1130 8th Ave S, Nashville TN 37203
RSVP: (click here)
Aiming for an international society free of drug abuse, the United Nations named June 26th as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Join us June 28 at 7pm for a listening session to learn how the pandemic affected the drug problem in Tennessee. Get valuable resources you can use in your own community.
- Learn about the problem
- Learn what you can do about it
- Get free resources
- Meet new friends interested in prevention
- Engaging conversation
Special Guest
Featuring Dr. Monty Burks, CPRS1, PhD.
Monty Burks, CPRS, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Faith-Based Initiatives for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. His role is engaging and connecting Tennessee’s faith communities to the behavioral health care system, with the goal of expanding addiction and mental health support services across the state. He also oversees the Tennessee Lifeline Peer Project, a state program aimed at reducing the stigma associated with people who suffer from addiction. The Tennessee Faith-Based Community Coordinators seek to help congregations build their capacity to combat addiction and mental health issues in their respective communities.
Dr. Burks earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from Middle Tennessee State University, his Doctorate in theology from Heritage College, and wears the honorable badge of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. He has more than 18 years of experience working with the criminal justice system in various roles, including Adjunct Criminal Justice Professor at Motlow State Community College, Criminal Justice Research Analyst at Middle Tennessee State University, and Criminal Justice Program coordinator at Tennessee State University where he still serves as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice.
Did you know?
On December 7, 1987 the United Nations established the International Day with resolution 42/112. Their very next resolution, 42/113 stated that the UN General Assembly,
…Taking into account the need to reaffirm the effectiveness of human, moral and spiritual values for preventing the consumption of narcotic drugs, at the national and international levels, through information, guidance and educational activities…
…Calls upon the Governments of countries facing problems of drug abuse, particularly those most seriously affected, as part of their national strategy, to take the necessary measures to reduce significantly the illicit demand for drugs and psychotropic substances with the aim of creating in society a deep respect for its own health, fitness and well-being and to provide appropriate information and advice for all sectors of their communities with regard to drug abuse, its harmful effects and the way in which appropriate community action can be promoted.
Notes
1CPRS: A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) is a person who has lived experience of a mental illness, substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder, who has made the journey from illness to wellness, and who now wishes to help others. Tennessee’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist program provides State certification for individuals who provide direct peer-to-peer support services to others who have mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders.