Current Focus.
In 2011/2012 the Giving Circle will be studying issues and challenges facing substance abuse on the Seacoast. The NH Center for Excellence summarizes the issues related to substance abuse as follows:
Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, misuse, abuse and addiction are the most pervasive, disruptive and costly health issues in today’s society. The widespread impacts of substance abuse touch every facet of private and public life. From emergency rooms to court rooms to living rooms, alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse erodes the well-being of individuals, families, communities, governments, and society as a whole.
At the heart of the matter, substance use is difficult to prevent and treat because it is impacted by a constellation of influences such as media, family communication, unrecognized or untreated mental and emotional health conditions, community norms, genetic influences, self-esteem, trauma history, and many other factors.
In addition, the most negative impact on the ability of the health and medical field to prevent and treat this disease is its stigmatization as a problem of the weak willed.
Yet the biological influences and treatability of substance use disorders are on par with other chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
For our 2012 gift, the Seacoast Women's Giving Circle is accepting proposals aimed at reducing the harmful effects of substance abuse on the Seacoast, addressing any of the following areas:
- Prevention
- Intervention
- Treatment
- Recovery
- Advocacy