NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Thirty portraits are on display at Hotel Downstreet, part of an initiative to use the arts and storytelling to humanize substance abuse disorder. 

 

"Into Light" opens this weekend will be on display through June 30, daily from 8 to 8. It is sponsored by the HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Coalition, Berkshire Health Systems, and several trusts and organizations. Hotel Downstreet donated that gallery space. 

 

The exhibit opened on Friday, with a reception on Thursday (at right).

 

"Our coalition's goals are to bolster harm reduction, treatment and recovery supports, and our other goal, obviously, is to reduce or to address the root causes of addiction and substance use disorder," Anna Youngmann, North County community coordinator, told the City Council. 

 

"We focus on building collaboration among a wide range of community sectors, including service providers, first responders, elected officials and community members and individuals with lived experience." 

 

The coalition is administered through the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and supported by opioid settlement funds from eight North County municipalities including North Adams. 

 

Youngmann, and Andy Ottoson, senior planner with BRPC's Berkshire Overdose Addiction Prevention Collaborative, were asked to update the council on the initiative at the request of President Ashley Shade. 

 

Councilor Marie McCarron thanked Shade for bringing this forward. "Substance use disorder has affected many families across the communities. So initiatives like this that promote compassion and understanding are very important. I just want to thank you again," she said. 

 

Youngmann said opioid settlement funds have been used in various ways: for Community Legal Aid to provides services to individuals with a history of substance abuse disorder, particularly on housing discrimination; a new phone program that provides free phones and three months of service so individuals can keep in contact with recovery services, support and family; and toward bolstering a family network, which supports individuals dealing with substance disorder by supporting their social network.

 

"Into Light" is the most recent initiative, spearheaded by founder Theresa Clower after her son died of an overdose. The exhibits have been held across the country. In North County, 20 portraits and narratives from the eastern part of the state are joined by 10 local individuals lost to substance abuse. 

 

"We are grateful to the 10 local families who shared their loved one's story, both with us and with a professional team of artists and writers," Youngmann said. "Through the Into Light national organization ... we want to bring this topic into light to reduce stigma.

 

"Stigma around addiction and substance use disorder is what can keep people from seeking services, that can keep families from speaking about what their loved one is going through and the disease they are struggling with."

 

The exhibit will include a series of talks and events, including facilitated walk-throughs. 

 

Gallery walk-throughs and discussions will be held on the following days from 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Tuesday, March 24; Wednesday, April 8; Tuesday, May 19; and Tuesday, June 9. They will include reflection stations, substance-use disorder education, and discussion. 

 

Forums; all from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

"We are hoping that Into Light really makes an impact in our community by raising awareness and reducing stigma," Youngmann said. "I hope to see many of you at the upcoming series of events."