Grassroots group holds first meeting to combat heroin epidemic in Bradenton

PALMETTO -- Nearly two dozen recovering addicts, their loved ones and others in the community who say they recognize a crucial need to address the heroin epidemic in Manatee County gathered Saturday to share ideas of taking action.

All agreed: Something needs to be done and fast because people are dying.

The meeting of the group named No Longer Silent met at the Church of Hope in Palmetto to create awareness on how drug overdoses are taking lives in Manatee County.

The meeting was a follow-up to the first No Longer Silent event, a candlelight vigil July 12 on the Bradenton Riverwalk, which drew about 200 people.

The group plans to hold an awareness-raising festival Aug. 29-30 on the Bradenton Riverwalk preceding International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 in order to raise funds, create awareness and start getting addicts needed help.

"We're here to fill a gap in the community," Jordan Mariah Battaglia said following the meeting. "We feel that we are fighting a war, that this isn't just an epidemic, it's a war and we need warriors fighting it."

The group acknowledged obtaining city permits in the short time frame before the planned event was a big obstacle.

In hopes the event can come together in such a short time, Jacob Hill, a Full Sail University graduate, skater and artist, offered several ideas to make it work.

"I feel through music, through art, through skating and activities we can offer positive behavioral therapy through positive distraction," Hill said. "Let's activate people through the skate culture. Let's activate through music right now because through music we can make a change or a difference."

Prior to learning of No Longer Silent, Hill said he began brainstorming the need for such an event and was reaching out to bands and musicians willing to donate their time. Hill said he hopes to pack the festival schedule full of bands from all different music genres.

The group also discussed having a skateboarding competition, food vendors and treatment specialists at the event.

Robert Trolian, a paralegal and recovering addict, shared some insight into why No Longer Silent is important.

"I currently live in a halfway house," Trolian said. "There are other people out there from 'the problem' that are also willing to get involved."

Others spent much of the two-hour meeting sharing personal experiences or frustrations about the overdose problem.

Gerrie Stanhope introduced her daughter, Kim Miller, as a recovering addict.

Stanhope told a story about her daughter's experiences after being court-ordered to the First Step addiction recovery program in Sarasota. Miller said others in the program were still using drugs and her mother said reporting it didn't have any repercussions.

Finally, Miller left and went to a halfway house, violating her probation, but saving her own life, Stanhope said.

Samantha Reek also shared frustrations saying her brother is in the hospital and unlikely to recover from an overdose. She said she tried to help him but without money or insurance it is difficult for addicts to get into treatment facilities.

Kristin Vollick said raising awareness is most important because, until it hit home, she was unaware the overdose problem was such an epidemic.

Other ideas the group offered included a resource guide, calendar of activities, sponsoring addicts or offering transportation for addicts to reach meetings.

The group plans to meet every Saturday throughout August to organize the festival in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day.

Information: Go to facebook.com/nolongersilent941.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Grassroots group holds first meeting to combat heroin epidemic in Bradenton."