B'ri'ut program to address substance use disorders in the community

One death from substance abuse is one too many. The Central Florida Jewish community has had to bear many heartbreaking losses because of this devastating disease. Nationally, suspected overdose submissions to the Overdose Mapping Application Program in 2020 showed increases of 11.4 percent for fatal overdoses and 18.6 percent for nonfatal overdoses during 2020. Regardless of how a substance abuse disorder is initiated, help is desperately needed for those affected, as well as their families. But where does one turn for help?

The Central Florida Jewish community leaders are aware of this problem and are stepping up to address the need to be able to reach out to anyone suffering from substance abuse — to bring it out in the open, free from stigma, so that help can be provided.

A community-wide program, called B’ri’ut (Hebrew for acceptance), developed by many leaders of the community in partnership with the Synagogue Men’s Clubs, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, The Roth Family JCC, Jewish Family Services, Victoria’s Voice Foundation and the Osteen family has been mobilized to address this problem and help families overcome the stigma and embarrassment that often prevents people from seeking help. 

The objective of B’ri’ut is to provide a forum for discussion, dissemination of information and provide support to our community to help prevent substance use disorders, provide support groups for those in need, and provide reference information for those looking for support.

To help bring this problem “out into the open,” and remove the communal stigma, the program’s goal is to encourage the community to better understand substance abuse and to more openly discuss substance use disorder issues, thereby reduce the stigma and embarrassment that may be felt by many in our community.

Included in the formation of this program are rabbis, cantors, dducators, and executive directors from 14 local Jewish organizations that have recognized a need for this type of program and are committed to get this started now.

The approach involves two initial presentations: The first will be a half-day presentation on March 4 that will involve the “Front Line” personnel (those who have contact with members of their organization, congregants, etc.). Certified trainers will provide orientation and education on how to recognize substance use disorders, and how treatment works. The intent of this presentation is not to have anyone become fluent in being a mental health care provider, but to enable them to answer basic questions about treatment should anyone ask them. 

The main presentation is scheduled for Sunday, March 7 and is designed for agency and organization leaders and workers who are likely to come into contact with people who may be having problems with substance use disorders. During this training they will be taught how to help motivate individuals struggling with Substance Abuse disorders to take action to reach out and receive help. This workshop, led by certified trainers, will be teaching a technique called Motivational Interviewing. This is not psychotherapy; it is a means of helping individuals to make the decision to move toward health and recovery.

Attendees of the Motivational Interviewing training will also have access to several months of follow-up in order to answer any questions and assist them with any issues that have arisen.

Consistent with COVID protocols, these meetings will be smaller, more streamlined, more hands-on and a totally virtual training experience for our community partners.  

Community partners will also be receiving a resource manual to help their members and customers find helpful organizations and treatment programs for Substance Use Disorders.

The next to last B’ri’ut initiative will be the establishment of MASH (“Mutual Aid Self-Help” – aka “support”) groups for Jewish individuals experiencing problems with substance use disorders. MASH groups have been in existence for many years, however, most are dependent on religious teachings from other denominations, which can make it uncomfortable for Jewish participants.

Parallel to this activity, the group plans to construct a Social Media program for college students and young adults. Most of them are well aware of the issues and have attended many lectures on this subject. They are looking for assistance but not in a group setting.

A referral guide indicating a variety of options where someone would go for help, if needed is also in the works.

Following this, there will be community-wide sessions on substance use disorders with the objective of reaching all facets of our community, with the objective of facilitating discussions to eliminate the stigma and sense of embarrassment too often felt in the community when confronted with a family member or friend with substance use problems.

Support groups will be formed for Jewish community members who are struggling with issues regarding substance use disorders.

B’ri’ut also plans to ensure that Narcan (a medication that counteracts opioid overdoses) is available at no cost to all organizations to ensure they have it available if needed.

Through the B’ri’ut program, community leaders who are involved intimately in the community will be able to help those suffering from substance use disorders and their families.