Neshaminy educators hear powerful stories of addiction and recovery

During a half-day seminar held during a professional development week on June 20, all Neshaminy teachers were introduced to the #StandUpNeshaminy opioid abuse prevention effort. The program featured hard-hitting statistics, methods to identify and help drug abuse victims, and information about the various forms of drug abuse ranging from alcohol and vaping to prescription drugs and heroin.

Three recovering addicts — all Neshaminy graduates — told their personal stories of how they descended into drug abuse and the painful, uncertain journey to recovery. A powerful keynote address was delivered by Brandon Novak, a high-profile professional skateboarder and actor from Levittown. He is a recovering addict whose addiction cost him his career and nearly his life. He is now working with Banyan Treatment Center to help other addicts.

#StandUpNeshaminy will be rolling out a public education effort starting this summer.  A series of informational videos produced by the group along with list of resources can be found by visiting their website, www.standupneshaminy.org.

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