Mercer Council Participates in Recovery Advocates of America's Annual 5K Fundraising Walk

8th Annual Recovery Advocates 5k a Success

Mercer Council team members Malissa Arnold, Jocelyn Cooper and David DeCamp all spent their Saturday supporting strong community partner, Recovery Advocates of America as they hosted their 8th Annual 5k Fundraising Walk/Run.  Despite the pandemic, Recovery Advocates safely hosted another very popular and well attended event (over 400 participants!!), that not only raises awareness about substance related challenges in the community, provides education and peer support services, but also helps individuals and families as they navigate addiction, recovery, various treatment systems and unfortunately, the devastating and life changing loss of their loved ones to the disease of addiction.  

Those who face substance related challenges are in the midst of a pandemic, on top of an epidemic.  According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, alcohol sales have risen more than 25%; suspected overdoses as a result of substance use rose 18%; an analysis of 500,000 urine screen samples tested by Millennium Health, for presence of substances identified a 32% increase in fentanyl (nonprescribed), a 20% increase in tests that showed positive presence of methamphetamine and a 10% increase in presence of cocaine from March 2020 - May 2020.  

We know that Recovery Advocates of America has done amazing and critical work to support individuals and their families and provide the hope that recovery is possible, however their work is needed now more than ever.  The proceeds of this fundraising event will be used to expand their current program services and allow them to work with as many individuals who are struggling as possible. 

We are proud to support Recovery Advocates at this event, just as we support and work alongside one another on a regular basis to reduce the negative impacts of addiction experienced by individuals, families and our community!