Dear Friends and Colleagues -

 

As this year draws to a close, I'd like to update you about the volunteer work I do at New Leaf Treatment Center and New Leaf Recovery Foundation.

 

First, we have done some of our most important work ever this year, battling an unprecedented epidemic of overdose deaths due to an upsurge in abuse of prescription opioids and heroin. These tragic deaths are now killing more Americans than motor vehicle accidents.  We have teamed up to prevent these overdoses by training opiate users and their families on how to avoid, and, when needed, actually reverse an overdose using naloxone. We are reaching beyond our clinic by providing these overdose prevention kits to the Contra Costa Regional Health Care System and members of Students for Sensible Drug Policy in Portland, Oregon; consulting on the development of similar programs in Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico; and the director of our program, Linda Hickman, R.N., B.S.N., M.A., shared our expertise at a regional symposium.

 

The overdose prevention kits and the training that goes with them are lifesaving and inexpensive - we are seeking generous individuals to invest in this effort and would appreciate your help identifying potential donors - please call or email me right away with any suggestions you have.

 

Second, because battling addiction is a 24/7 struggle that rarely has the benefit of 24/7 support, we developed a text messaging program to improve recovery and prevent relapse. This work, spearheaded by another of our volunteers, Vicky Keoleian, M.A.S., has now been published and we're pleased to announce that this has led to a larger, ongoing study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

 

Last, I'm pleased to announce that the New Leaf Recovery Foundation has formed a Community Advisory Board. The founding members are:

 

  • Dean Edell, M.D., an award-winning physician broadcaster, educating nationwide audiences through daily radio and television programs; he also brings valuable experience as the former director of drug and alcohol rehabilitation for Sacramento County.
  • Bruce Baldwin, M.A., a recovering person who has been working in adolescent substance abuse prevention in the Butte County Office of Education since 1995.

 

We are grateful for the range of experience and expertise that they bring to the Foundation.

 

Peace and health,

 

Gantt Galloway, PharmD           

 

Executive & Research Director

New Leaf Treatment Center 

251 Lafayette Circle, Suite 150, Lafayette, CA 94549

(925) 284-5200

Established 1 August 1996

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