On July 20th, 2017 Camden County Congressman, Donald Norcross hosted a community wide discussion on the dangers associated with the heroin and opioid epidemic at Washington Township High School. There was a panel of 17 guest speakers including, Dr. Jim Baird, Emergency Medicine Attending Physician at Kennedy Health System- Washington Township. Kim Govak, Program Coordinator at Living Proof Recovery, Tony Luke Jr, a parent advocate for the cause and our very own Rabbi Avi Richler.
“The less we talk about it the less likely that someone in addiction is going to come to us” said Rabbi Avi during his time to discuss the epidemic of people lost to addiction. Rabi Avi wears many hats around Behavior Crossroads, as the Director of Spiritual Services, he offers lectures at our Turnersville location, as well as training and guidance on orthodox practices and sensitivity at Black Horse Acres Sober Living. His lectures often consist of finding our purpose in life, and through his teachings he hopes to bring happiness and guidance to others. “My message is a simple message, it’s a message of talk about it, talk, talk, talk, don’t stigmatize it. This disease is across the spectrum there is no barriers to this disease. It’s not geographic barriers, it’s not economic barriers, it’s not race it’s not religion, and everyone is susceptible to this” he told the crowded auditorium, Thursday night. He spoke about the importance of reaching out, and that there is no shame in asking for help.
“Why would a junkie want to come to me to talk about his problems, of course he won’t come to me… because I am going to judge him! We can’t judge people, we have to talk about it from the podium, we have to be open about it, we have to sit on these panels, we have to show up at these events, parents, educators, clergymen, each one of us has a responsibility and each one of us can save a life, but we have to be approachable. The more approachable we are the easier it is for someone to come to us, and what we have to tell them is that there is a community out there.”
When he isn’t helping those in recovery, he can be found working with local political leaders on the Gloucester County Human Relations Commission, The Interfaith Advisory Committee for Homeland Security in New Jersey, and the Bipartisan Legislative effort dubbed Faith Leaders against Violence created by Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D) and Sen. Tom Kean. (R), or at home with his wife and 5 children.
