Annual Convention 2022

2022-R.2 A Resolution Calling for a Faithful Response to Substance Use Disorder Submitted by the Rev. Susan Bentley; Tim Brooke; the Rev. Wilson Brown; the Rev. Kathy Chase, Deacon; the Rev. Jon Greene, Deacon; the Rev. Dick Willis, Deacon; The Rev. Canon Mark Furlow, and presented by the Rev. Susan Bentley WHEREAS Appalachia, including the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, is the epicenter of the substance use disorder epidemic, and Whereas the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia Diocesan Convention 2020 approved resolution 2020-R.6, Offer Caring, Practical Response to the Opioid Crisis in Our Communities , and WHEREAS over 100,000 people died by overdose in the year ending April 30, 2021, and WHEREAS substance used disorder is a disease that is stigmatized, and WHEREAS there are limited resources for effective treatment, treatment is difficult, lengthy and expensive, and WHEREAS substance use disorder takes a dreadful toll not only on those using substances but on their loved ones as well, and WHEREAS we know that members of our diocese, their friends and family suffer from substance use disorder, and WHEREAS there are numerous events during the year meant to call attention to this issue, offering parishes the opportunity to engage on the issue. These include:

• National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, March 21-27, 2022 https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week • National Prevention Week, May 8-14, 2022 https://teens.drugabuse.gov/ national-drug-alcohol-facts-week • International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, 2022 https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=118655, and • National Substance Abuse Awareness Month in October https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-substance-abuse- prevention-month

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this 103rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia calls on all parishes of the diocese to acknowledge one or more of these events and offer educational opportunities to learn about substance use disorder, so that parishes might offer caring, practical responses to this critical crisis. Appropriate activities can include: • A Holy Eucharist or other service devoted to the topic of substance use disorder. • A Lenten book study discussion about substance use disorder.

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