Skeptics invited to attend meeting

To the editor:

I am writing this in response to James Coleman’s response to the July 27 letter to the editor by Jennifer Van Skyock.

I am not writing to defend her stance but to offer Mr. Coleman an opportunity to have some of his questions addressed.

Mr. Coleman, I am the founder of A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope, and we are one of the “various groups involved in support of addicts.” I respect your opinion as well as your skepticism. I understand where you are coming from and I know there are many folks with the same attitude. I must admit that the behaviors of many addicts, strugglers and overcomers have not made a good impression on the minds of many.

I wish I could disprove what you have said, but I can’t. Choices have made this disease what it is. I have yet to meet an addict who is proud of that choice or wears their disease as a badge of honor.

With that in mind, I want to make an offer, not as an attempt to change your mind, but to broaden it. On behalf of the 20 A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope chapters in 12 counties with about 400 individuals, addicts, strugglers and overcomers involved, I want to invite you to attend the Redkey chapter for an upcoming Wednesday-evening meeting. We meet at Redkey United Methodist Church at 122 W. Main St. from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We have a meal at 6 p.m., and you are cordially invited to join us and have something to eat. We are at 145 weeks of Wednesday meetings and have had someone from the area provide a meal each Wednesday.

We have many awesome folks in different stages of recovery who would be thrilled and honored to share whether or not any difference has been made in their lives. Nothing beats a first-hand experience.

Those of us working with those who are struggling take your words quite seriously. We know if the bridge of trust and connection is to be rebuilt, it must start from our side of the chasm. We know that the burden of proof is ours to bear. We may not have changed the severity of the drug issue, but we believe we have been successful in affecting change in the lives of many who have been involved.

Mr. Coleman, on behalf of A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope, I cordially and publicly invite you and others who doubt or are skeptical about any good being done on behalf of addicts to the Sept. 20 meeting in Redkey. I can be reached at (765) 730-4979. That is our main contact number.

You asked if the effort is a success. That depends on your definition of success.

Are we making a difference in lives?

Yes, and we can prove it.

Randy Davis

A Better Life – Brianna’s Hope