Susan Avery

Hope for friends and families touched by addiction

Support for those ‘damaged and suffering behind closed doors’

Someone you know might be an addict; in fact, you might love an addict yourself.

Addiction to illegal substance - yes, drugs - destroys families. Using is personal to each individual, who often believes their actions affect only themselves. That is not surprising, because addiction to drugs is often described as an egocentric disease.

As the user destroys their life, those people around them are drawn into the insanity. Thus, they become “sick,” too.

For the addict, hope is on the horizon. More services are becoming available and, while stigma still exists, I believe people in our community are becoming educated, more knowledgeable, and interested in making a difference by helping others who find themselves ready to take the plunge into recovery.

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Conscientious driving takes little effort

As recently as this morning, I have again reminded myself to state my thoughts on this subject. Awaiting traffic at a stop sign on a side street near the Oak Grove School, a newer model pickup truck traveling on Clark Avenue passed in front of me. As I proceeded...

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Can U.S. politics inspire unified efforts worldwide?

I just need to vent. Our country is in an utter-bullshit, ridiculous, and embarrassing state with the namby-pamby bipartisanship stranglehold of our country and its citizens over something as ridiculous and politically paralyzing as our current president's idea of keeping people out of our country. We need, if you...

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How do we remove the stigma?

When I prepared to attend the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit in Atlanta, Ga. in April, I imagined that I would learn how other communities around the United States were combating the heroin epidemic by which we are all so affected. Weeks before the five-day conference, as I began to review so many offerings before me in the program guide, my goals became clear. In attending, I would be seeking information for my community and for families. And...

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The personal hell of addiction

I am not an addict dependent on illegal substances, but I am fast becoming an addict for grassroots change. While I am sympathetic to the comments of David Boyer of Newfane in a recent letter in the Reformer, they are not being directed to the proper authority. The Brattleboro Police Department and the Brattleboro Selectboard are able to carry out and enforce laws that are supported by Vermont legislation, and therein lies the rub. Many of you know me as...

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Help for witnesses to a path of destruction

There are many things today that, more than ever, take our children and other family members from us and from their own precious lives. As a mother who has watched her own children struggle with a myriad of addictions during the past 18 years, I have become committed to playing a role in helping other family members navigate through the devastation caused it causes and, in doing so, I have helped myself and my family. Accepting that addiction is a...

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Golfing for alumni association supports future graduates

A perfect Vermont day with sunny blue skies provided the perfect setting for the BHS/BUHS Annual Alumni Golf Tournament on June 18 at the Brattleboro Country Club. Known highlights of this year's tournament included the team of Hugh Barber, Dana Zelenakas, Mike Cassidy, and Jamie McAuliffe taking home the first place prize. Congratulations for a big day for Chris Haskins, who experienced the thrill of a lifetime with a hole in one. Our annual putting contest provided great entertainment, and...

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Taking turns on one-lane bridge: a simple concept

The “me-first” mentality is alive and well in Brattleboro, and one only has to be waiting one's turn to drive across the now-one-lane Elliot Street Bridge to observe how this plays out. Folks, take your turn. It is an easy concept to understand. The car approaching down the hill from the direction of Birge Street waits, then the car approaching the bridge from the five corners has an opportunity to advance and cross to the other side … and vice...

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