Finding recovering addicts the help they need was the topic in Willimantic on Thursday morning as state and local leaders work to fight the area's heroin and opioid crisis head on.
The crowd at the Community for Addiction Recovery Center in Willimantic was packed with health care professionals, community leaders and a few who have already beaten their addiction.
"Eventually overdosing four times in two years after graduation led me into treatment," said East Haddam resident Nicholas Grillo. "The problem was, I would try to get treatment, come out and the resources just weren’t there."
It has become a public health crisis not just on the streets of Willimantic, but across the state. Last year, 347 people in Connecticut died from overdosing, up from 195 in 2012.
The discussion Thursday morning was about more than treatment, it was about how to help addicts recover.
"We’re not going to imprison our way out of this public health crisis," Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. "There has to be more treatment, mental health care and recovery resources."
Recovering addicts say the key is putting the dealers and the over-prescribers behind bars while getting the users the help they need to beat the addiction.
"The money needs to be more available for sober housing and supportive services after treatment," Grillo said.
