By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Fighting substance use disorder can feel like the most isolating thing in the world. Luckily, within the Castle Country, there are many community partners to help make this journey less isolating. A prime example of this is USARA – who, thanks to their dedication to battling substance use and the stigma surrounding it – have been named Castle Country Radio’s Charity of the Month.
Peer Recovery Coach Damon Davis joined the KOAL Newsroom to provide insight into USARA’s services.
“Primarily we want to provide support for those in recovery and those needing recovery,” said Davis of the charity’s mission. “We have a community center on Main Street at 91 East Main in Price. We have daily recovery meetings there and try to cooperate with our local fellowships like our 12-step groups and other pathways to recovery and provide a safe meeting place.”
USARA stands out due to its peer-based nature. This means that the employees and recovery coaches have lived experience in the area in which they operate.
“The best way would be to just come to the center and sit down with one of us. I work there with another recovery coach. Her name is Mersades Morgan, and so one of us would be happy to sit down with you and talk to you about your needs,” explained Davis,” Our agenda is to support you in your recovery, whether that be a mental health and substance use recovery or substance use alone. Still, whatever you’ve been through, odds are you’re gonna run into somebody in that building that’s been through it too, and finding a way to support each other as peers is what we try to focus on as much as possible.”
USARA also collaborates with other like-minded organizations. “We want to work closely with everybody who has a stake in this fight, and it’s going to take more than just one agency. This is a multifaceted problem, and overcoming substance use disorder is going to take a multifaceted approach, so we participate heavily in our local homeless coalition. We also support and are members of the Carbon Emery Opioid and Substance Use Coalition, and that keeps us engaged in events.”
Davis shared his favorite part of working for USARA: ” I found recovery close to three years ago. And Mersades Morgan, the person I mentioned, was part of that. She was at work, and I walked in the door. She and I found some common ground, and it was off to the races for me. Just seeing that service is available during the week and that you can schedule a time to meet somebody and that we have events we’re trying to be as involved as possible. But also, it’s not about us; it’s about providing that opportunity to the newcomer, the person on day one who is just trying to rewire things and move forward with their life in a productive way.”
In closing, Davis stated,” Come and see us. If you support somebody in recovery or need to find recovery yourself, come talk to us because it’s available, and you can do it.”
USARA is located at 91 East Main in Price. The organization can be contacted by phone at (877) 590-5965. Additional information can be found online on USARA’s website.