What Can Churches Do to Respond to the Opioid Crisis?

IN JUNE, Bishop Ed Malesic of Greensburg, Pa., released “A Pastoral Letter on the Drug Abuse Crisis: From Death and Despair to Life and Hope.” In it he outlined several “first steps” that parishes could take in response to the region’s opioid epidemic, including:

•  Parishes are encouraged to work with existing neighborhood, nonprofit, and government organizations to promote safe communities and neighborhoods to be free from drugs.
• Priests and deacons are invited to continue to offer spiritual support and, when appropriate, to speak about the drug abuse issue in homilies and during other formational opportunities.
• Parishes or regions of parishes are asked to consider developing support groups to help those addicted to opioids and their families to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus to give them strength.

• Parishes are asked to maintain a list of treatment centers and their phone numbers for referral purposes when the need arises.
•  [A]ll parishes are requested to find ways to educate and form the members of their parish and community to combat the opioid addiction epidemic in our homes and families.
• Parishes should consider holding ongoing opportunities for prayer and healing related to the addiction crisis, especially by interceding at Mass for the recovery of addicted people and the healing of their loved ones.