Woman Making a Difference: ACR (Addiction Connections Resource)
by Ginny Robertson
[On Purpose Woman Magazine, Jun/Jul Issue]

Maria “Doe” Ladd, Barbara Mason, Janet Ritchey and Linda Williams have something very big in common. They each had a profoundly difficult experience with drug use and addiction in their families. Doe’s son began using drugs at age 14. He was out of control for a long time. He became a heroin addict. He had been in a number of treatment facilities and also in jail. Barbara Mason lost her son to a heroin overdose in 1998. Janet Ritchey’s son began using drugs at a very young age and graduated to heroin at 17. Linda Williams’ daughter also struggled with heroin addiction. While some may have looked at these issues and felt hopeless and helpless, these mothers tackled the problem the way that women often do. They banded together to try and save not only their children but the adolescents and young adults in their community.

That community, Harford County, is not what most of us picture when we think of heroin addiction. We think of the inner-city and in doing so we may be able to remove ourselves even more from acknowledging or caring about the problem. If it’s not in my neighborhood…then it’s none of my business. However, drug addiction is non-discriminatory. It crosses all socio-economic, racial, age and gender lines. It is a human issue and I believe we, as humans, need to understand and lend our resources to eliminating it.

Since 1998, all of these women had been actively involved in two local task forces for drug education and treatment. By 2001, they realized that much more effort was needed to provide sorely needed drug treatment and outreach actions. These actions included (1) connection with and coordination of regional drug treatment and halfway house facilities (2) providing drug treatment for adolescents (3) creating family support groups and (4) educating the public on drug issues and treatment. As a response to these needs and the commitment of Doe, Barbara, Janet and Linda they founded ACR (Addiction Connections Resource) as a non-profit organization that year.

At that time Doe was, and still is a secretary at a law firm. She helped to build the law firm from the ground up and has been with one of the attorneys for over 14 years. Even though she works at the law firm 3 days a week she still devotes a full week to ACR. Linda just quit her job and is devoting full time to ACR. Barbara worked at Upper Chesapeake Hospital and is now office manager for her nephew’s financial planning business. Janet and her husband run their own business. Both Barbara and Janet devote a substantial amount of time to ACR, while also working. I think this is such a great example of “seeing a need, feeling passionate about that need, and finding the resources to fill that need.”

The mission of ACR is to be a resource for all those suffering from the disease of addiction and for their families, and the communities they affect; to reduce substance abuse in Harford County, Cecil County and the surrounding areas; and to connect with resources within Maryland and throughout the country.

In accomplishing their mission, ACR has grown to include three additional members and an Advisory Board of eight professionals. ACR’s accomplishments include:

- Identified available resources for acute detoxification and ongoing treatment for individuals

- Bridged the gap between addicts and professionals by establishing a connection with residential and outpatient treatment programs

- Educated families on the signs and symptoms of substance abuse

- Provided support groups for families (one in Harford County and one in Cecil County)

- Connected those in recovery with programs and services that assist them in living a clean, healthy and productive life.

- Brought hope to substance abusers and their families.

- From January 2002 to now, ACR responded to approximately 1500 calls from addicts and their families in the region seeking treatment and/or other types of support.

ACR continues to identify the multifaceted needs of the substance-addicted population and provide the services they need. They serve as an advocate for the addict/alcoholic, his/her family, and the substance abuse field in general. They want to put a face on this problem. And they want to show people that there is no stereotypical addict. They look like them and come from families like theirs. It could be their child, their brother or sister, their friend.

ACR has some big future goals. They want enough money and other resources to help anyone who calls them. They want to be able to give quality services that work for the individual through their entire journey of recovery. They want to promote strong prevention programs in the schools at a young age so there will be a significant decrease in drug use. They want to better connect with the entire community, i.e., judges, probation officers, social services, core services, attorneys, the health department, politicians and physicians so that they are more effectively working together towards one goal.

I asked Doe what is on her ACR “Wish List.” I know those who read On Purpose Woman Magazine are generous and often looking for ways to make a difference in their community. While On Purpose Woman Magazine is not heavily distributed in Harford County yet, I think we can reach across those county borders knowing that when we help one person we are helping all people.

Right now they need lawyers, physicians, treatment providers and psychiatrists to volunteer services. They need volunteers to join committees such as treatment, fundraising and development. Mainly, they need funding, corporate sponsors and foundations because with funding they can get everything else they need. And they can always use things like printer cartridges, printing services for documents or booklets, paper and money for traveling expenses. And, Doe adds… a “day at the spa, just to unwind, would be great!” I agree, because with the schedules these women keep, they need to take some time out for themselves, or they won’t be able to keep giving to others.

Now the good news… Doe’s son worked hard on his recovery in a halfway house. He now lives out of state, which Doe says was the best decision for him. Linda’s daughter is in recovery and works as a make-up consultant. And Janet’s son also resided in a halfway house. That was what he needed to reinvent himself. He entered at age 18 and has five years clean, he’s living on his own, enrolled in school, and getting training at the local hospital in the emergency room.

Unfortunately, it was too late for Barbara Mason’s son. But because of these women - countless young adults and adolescents may have been saved (see Kelli’s story on page 26).

back to making a difference