Addiction is now the leading cause of death among Americans under 50. The old myth that it only afflicts urban, impoverished, persons of color has been shattered. The President of the United States has declared the Opioid Epidemic a public health emergency. The sad news is that it has already arrived, or soon will, in the pews of your congregation or in the families, schools, or neighborhoods of those sitting there. The good news is that there are specific strategies, goals, deadlines, plans and commitments that religious institutions can undertake that will simultaneously save lives, mend hearts, revitalize relationships and strengthen congregations. The church that participates in this webinar will become a source of help, hope and harm reduction in addressing a baffling problem that will yield to practical solutions.

Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter is pastor of the Congregational Church of Patchogue on Long Island, New York. He is the author of six books on the subjects of addiction, healing family systems, parenting in recovery, codependency, spirituality, and forgiveness.

This webinar was originally broadcast on January 30, 2018.