The first Narcan Life Box in our Diocese was installed nearly a year ago at Trinity Episcopal Church in the Central West End of St. Louis. Since then, six additional boxes have been placed at St. Louis area parishes as well as our rural communities such as Calvary Episcopal Church in Louisiana, Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau, and Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Poplar Bluff. Life Boxes make available lifesaving Narcan doses 24/7, free of charge, no questions asked. Episcopal Recovery Ministries is currently working with three more parishes to place a Life Box on their grounds.
This year, the Diocese of Missouri joined Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church (RMEC), a nationwide network of laity and clergy, dioceses, and parishes committed to addressing the effects of addiction in relation to the church’s mission. On June 19 – 20, the Rev. Deacon Loretta Go, Missioner, and the Rev. Sally Weaver of ERM’s Council of Advice, attended the annual meeting of RMEC in Louisville, KY. Afterwards, Deacon Loretta volunteered at RMEC’s booth during the first full day of General Convention, passing out literature and talking with visitors about their parishes’ recovery ministries and activities.
Drug overdose is Missouri’s leading cause of death among adults aged 18-44. Every year, August 31st is designed as IOAD, or International Overdose Awareness Day. Various public events are held to mourn those who have died from overdose and to support the families and loved ones left behind. ERM is in the early stages of planning a diocesan service/event to commemorate IOAD in 2025.
ERM continues to explore ways to raise awareness and provide support for those who seek relief from substance use disorder and other addictive behaviors such as gambling, overeating or sex. Preaching and teaching at our individual parishes is a way to achieve this. Deacon Loretta will start by traveling to Christ Episcopal Church in Rolla in August to preach and lead a forum. The development of a Facebook page to complement the ministry’s existing webpage is also in the works.