Dear Friend,

I hope you and your family are staying healthy during the pandemic.

Like you, I am spending a lot of time these days thinking about how best to safeguard my health, as well as the health of my family, friends, and neighbors.

I am also thinking about how best to support the more vulnerable among us, especially those who struggle with addiction. Living in isolation can be particularly difficult — even dangerous — for those grappling with a substance use disorder or in recovery.

The Clinton Foundation’s Opioid Response Network builds networks of faith and community leaders in cities throughout the country who work with us to address the opioid crisis, and that critical work continues amid this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. As some of the most trusted messengers in our communities, faith leaders are powerful partners in reducing stigma and promoting prevention, treatment, and recovery — and they are especially needed now.

Last week, the Foundation shared new resources with our faith partners to help them manage fear and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic and to help those in need.

These tools can serve as a valuable resource to everyone. I hope you will take a minute to read them and learn how you can help, too. We can all play a part in saving lives and supporting those in recovery — even while practicing social distancing. Please join us.

Stay safe and take good care.

Sincerely,

Chris Thrasher
Senior Director of Substance Use Disorders & Recovery
Clinton Foundation Opioid Response Network