Opioid, Heroin Overdoses Spark Vigil in Montville Community

If it’s not a friend, it’s a family member or an acquaintance – drug addiction shows no prejudice.

With several deadly overdoses this year, the Montville community is rallying together to support addicts and their families, and lift the stigma of addiction.

Thursday night dozens lit a candle and bowed their heads in prayer for the people battling addictions and for those who lost the fight.

Lisa Johns, of Uncasville, lost her son Christopher to an overdose two years ago. She’s a founding member of Community Speaks Out, a group for families and friends facing addition to support and educate one another.

“It’s been kept a secret for far too long, again. You know, it’s been hidden in the trenches and now we’re digging it back up,” Johns said.

Rehab programs need to be longer, according to Johns, and more needs to be done to make sure people fighting addiction stay sober.

The Montville Mayor was in attendance to show his support. There was also volunteer with Community Speaks Out handing out Naloxone and showing families how to use it.

Joey Gingerella, of Groton, is a recovering addict. He struggled with opioid use after trying it once or twice, and then getting prescribed opioids after a hospital visit.

People need to realize no one choses to become an addict, according to Gingerella. And getting sober is also an uphill climb.

“It’s a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,” he said. “I came into rehab and out of rehab thinking the same thing, ‘I can go out and use one more time.’ But even the second time, it was about 10 times worse.”

Gingerella said he keeps himself busy and away from drugs by coaching sports, spending time at the gym and with his supportive family, who is part of his motivation to stay clean.

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