Toy Drive Success

Donation drop off. (L to R) is me (Randy Thompson, Help Not Handcuffs Campaign Founder), Katie Tomasso, Director of Epiphany House and Andrew Gibson a Help Not Handcuffs’ Volunteer. The picture shows off the donations but we could not take pictures with the actual recipients due to privacy concerns.    *Photo Submitted

Donation drop off. (L to R) is me (Randy Thompson, Help Not Handcuffs Campaign Founder), Katie Tomasso, Director of Epiphany House and Andrew Gibson a Help Not Handcuffs’ Volunteer. The picture shows off the donations but we could not take pictures with the actual recipients due to privacy concerns. *Photo Submitted

Press Release

SOUTH AMBOY – I am the founder of “Roots to Addiction”, I am also a resident of South Amboy.  Roots To Addiction is a central NJ,  community based, grass roots, closed Facebook support group for those struggling with substance use disorder, those in recovery and loved ones. Our Motto in Roots to Addiction is “Together WE Can”.  We partnered with Help Not Handcuffs for a holiday toy drive.

Help Not Handcuffs is a community campaign to decriminalize and de-stigmatize substance use disorders and substance use by highlighting the negative human and financial impacts of failed drug criminalization laws. This year,  Help Not Handcuffs selected Asbury Park’s Epiphany House which serves women recovering from substance use and their children who live with them in the houses that Epiphany operates.

The Holiday Drive was organized for two purposes:

1. To send a message to people recovering from substance use that the broader community cares about them as they overcome their challenge. This is important as substance use disorders (SUD) are stigmatized and often shamed and criminalized unlike equitable mental or physical health disorders.

2. Also, the holiday drive sought to highlight that many people who suffer from SUD are not able to receive recovery supports or treatment if needed due to failed criminalization laws. Criminalization laws squander very limited resources and do not deter drug use or distribution.

The Holiday Drive was successful in delivering 1 1/2 truck loads of toys along with $550 in gift cards to area stores like Target, Toys R Us and Shop Rite.

Partnering with Help Not Handcuffs were several local businesses and other community and/or recovery groups:

• Shop Rite of Neptune

• Retro Fitness of Neptune

• Neptune Police Department

• The Center for Recovery Education and Success (CARES)

• Roots to Addiction

• The Monmouth Rugby Club

• People’s Transport

• Pop’s Bagels

• WRAT 94.3 FM

• Fun 107.1 FM

• Warm Things Comedy Show performed at The Saint in Asbury Park

Kim Seber

Founder

Roots To Addiction


Background Info

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