A record number of overdose deaths have devastated families in our community and across the country.It's causing lawmakers to speak out and one local man to take action, coming up with creative ways to bring people together on the road to recovery.Daniel Henderson founded RecoverWisely, a nonprofit that connects people near and far to much-needed addiction treatment services. Before creating the nonprofit, a near-death experience changed his life forever, and serves as a story for inspiration to others. During a hike in Salt Lake City Utah, the uneven, thawing ground underneath him gave way, and Henderson fell 200 feet with it.It resulted in numerous broken ribs, fractured bones in his face and hearing loss in one ear."Two collapsed lungs, a stroke, I had cardiac arrest so I died for five minutes," Henderson added.The tragic incident, happening when Henderson was three years sober from alcohol addiction, played a role in his wanting to begin the nonprofit."I was like, 'well if I lived and am perfectly fine for the most part, I'm just going to go for it,'" Henderson said.RecoverWisely has helped nearly 1,000 people near and far connect to much-needed addiction treatment services.And recent data about opioids specifically doesn't surprise him."The isolation was just killing people," Henderson said.The COVID-19 crisis has led to isolation. The attention of medical professionals and political leaders has focused largely on how to solve it.Addressing lawmakers last week, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman announced that between April 2020 and 2021, more than 100,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdose deaths, the highest ever."It's the underlying issues and lack of connection that drive an individual to use," Henderson said.RecoverWisely is now organizing a number of sober fun events throughout the city with mocktails and food.Art Gallery Cocktail Bar Arts on the Ave is already on board. They plan on helping host an event sometime in February."That's strictly what I'm trying to do is help create a balance spread the awareness that there is a place that provides a safe environment," Arts on the Ave owner Andre Niles said.Henderson also works for New Roads Behavioral Health, a treatment center for adults facing mental and substance abuse disorders.
A record number of overdose deaths have devastated families in our community and across the country.
It's causing lawmakers to speak out and one local man to take action, coming up with creative ways to bring people together on the road to recovery.
Daniel Henderson founded RecoverWisely, a nonprofit that connects people near and far to much-needed addiction treatment services.
Before creating the nonprofit, a near-death experience changed his life forever, and serves as a story for inspiration to others.
During a hike in Salt Lake City Utah, the uneven, thawing ground underneath him gave way, and Henderson fell 200 feet with it.
It resulted in numerous broken ribs, fractured bones in his face and hearing loss in one ear.
"Two collapsed lungs, a stroke, I had cardiac arrest so I died for five minutes," Henderson added.
The tragic incident, happening when Henderson was three years sober from alcohol addiction, played a role in his wanting to begin the nonprofit.
"I was like, 'well if I lived and am perfectly fine for the most part, I'm just going to go for it,'" Henderson said.
RecoverWisely has helped nearly 1,000 people near and far connect to much-needed addiction treatment services.
And recent data about opioids specifically doesn't surprise him.
"The isolation was just killing people," Henderson said.
The COVID-19 crisis has led to isolation. The attention of medical professionals and political leaders has focused largely on how to solve it.
Addressing lawmakers last week, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman announced that between April 2020 and 2021, more than 100,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdose deaths, the highest ever.
"It's the underlying issues and lack of connection that drive an individual to use," Henderson said.
RecoverWisely is now organizing a number of sober fun events throughout the city with mocktails and food.
Art Gallery Cocktail Bar Arts on the Ave is already on board. They plan on helping host an event sometime in February.
"That's strictly what I'm trying to do is help create a balance spread the awareness that there is a place that provides a safe environment," Arts on the Ave owner Andre Niles said.
Henderson also works for New Roads Behavioral Health, a treatment center for adults facing mental and substance abuse disorders.
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