Pubdate: Thu, 31 Aug 2017
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2017 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Sophia Eppolito

A CHURCH'S SIGN CAMPAIGN CAPTURES OPIOIDS' TOLL

A Wrentham church has launched an unusual campaign to raise awareness
of the toll opioid abuse has taken in Massachusetts.

Signs marked "#2069" - the number of opioid-related deaths reported
statewide for 2016 - have shown up in yards around the region thanks
to the efforts of Trinity Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Ron Tibbetts said he was the first to admit "we at Trinity
Church were unaware of the crisis." Then, the church's outreach
committee met with the S.A.F.E. Coalition, a Franklin-based group that
deals with substance abuse issues.

Members were so struck by the statistics they decided their signs
would be simple: a white background with the number written in large
black text. "We talked about how we could make it as stark and bleak
as possible," Tibbetts said.

Tibbetts started a Facebook page "#2069_signs" where people could
order the signs. He has been asking for $12 donations, which go toward
production of the signs and to fund a rally the church is hosting Oct.
28 to raise opioid awareness and honor first responders who have been
fighting the crisis.

"It's empowered us to become a lot more aware of the world around us,"
Tibbetts said.

The movement has expanded beyond Wrentham. On the Facebook page,
people have posted photos of signs in other Massachusetts towns
including Wellfleet, Eastham, and East Bridgewater. As of early
Thursday afternoon, 277 signs had been ordered from his church alone.

(Since the sign campaign began, the state has updated the total
opioid-related deaths for 2016 to 2,107.)

The Rev. Robert Everett of the Second Church of Plymouth said he has
always strived to serve and accept those suffering with opioid
addiction, and was inspired by Tibbetts's campaign. He saw the #2069
yard signs as a way to let those who are struggling with addiction
know that they are welcome at his church.

"We want to accept them as they are and to love them and to make them
a member of our congregation," Everett said.

Everett has already given out 10 signs and will be receiving another
20 from Tibbetts next week.

"I've had people ask me, 'what's the number in front of your church?'"
Everett said. "That gives us the chance to talk about it."
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MAP posted-by: Matt