MIDDLEBURG- Clay Behavioral Health Center, Clay County Fire Rescue and Groups Recover Together warmly embraced residents living with mental health disorders and recovering from addiction during the Recovery Celebration on Saturday. Founded in 2021 by former Battalion Chief Glenn East, the Community Paramedicine Program has been a stepping stone to recovery by providing counseling and services to families battling addiction, connecting patients to needed resources and administering Narcan, which can prevent deaths from opioid overdose.

Tthe success of the Paramedicine Program has depended on its relationship with like-minded, altruistic charities in Clay, many of whom were in attendance at the event last weekend.  

One charities was the Oxford House, an international network of democratically-ran, self-sustaining recovery homes. Members pay their share of rent and bills, vote on house rules attend recovery meetings together. They have men’s and women’s houses, and houses for with children. The organization started in Clay in June 2022. More than a year later, the organization has already built five houses in the county.  

Casey, a county resident and two-year member of the Oxford House, is a living testament to the charity’s impact.

“This is my first time being introduced into a program, and it has completely changed my life. This is the first time since I was 16 (years old) since I had complete sobriety from all substances. It’s amazing not to depend on that constant chase, and I’ve got my children back. I’ve become a better mother, and I’ve applied the principles of (the program) into (other) areas of my life as well,” she said. On Nov. 6, she will celebrate the second anniversary of her sobriety.  

The program she immersed herself in is growing faster than ever in the county, and has no plans of slowing down. Just ask Travis Massa, Outreach Coordinator for Greater Jacksonville.

“We’ve helped hundreds of people, and (the Oxford House) has made (so many) connections in the community that I’ve literally had to ‘buckle up’ to keep up. My phone rings off the hook throughout the week, and we’ve had to put people on a waiting list to interview for a spot in a house in Clay County,” he said.  

East said continuing to build the county’s network of services to fight the opioid epidemic in Clay is paramount, an effort the Recovery Celebration further aided. “(Originally), we started with very little with (just) the Fire Department. These events are really what strengthens our network. That’s what makes Clay County one of the leaders in the state when it comes to addiction stabilization on (both) the nonprofit and public sides. I believe that’s what puts us ahead of a lot of places. The bottom line is that Fire Rescue and Clay Behavioral can help, but we can’t fix (the opioid epidemic) alone,” he said.  

Alexandra Porter, the county’s Opioid Prevention Coordinator for the State Department of Health, gave a heartfelt speech dedicating the event. She spoke further about the significance of the Recovery Celebration and its importance to the community.

“I think part of what we’re doing here is breaking down the stigma surrounding the addiction by throwing events like these, celebrating those in recovery, and having people share their stories. That way, more people will be comfortable talking about it and reach out to seek help,” she said.  

Along with recovery partners and resources, the Recovery Celebration provided food, fun and live music on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. The festivities served to commend the residents and their resolve on their personal journeys.

“The big thing is to celebrate people that have taken that step. People have to want to be in recovery. I can’t make someone do it. We wanted to put on an upbeat event and celebrate people for getting better. The fact that people are (participating) in the program shows they are putting in the effort and want to change their lives for the better,” East said.