3 Voices to host panel on "Addiction: Where do we go from here?"

Marblehead, Massachusetts - 3 Voices concludes its spring series on addiction with a discussion of shared experiences and available resources as the series’ previous speakers return on Tuesday, June 4, 7 p.m. at Abbot Library, 238 Pleasant Street, for a panel conversation on “Addiction: Where do we go from here?”

Returning are special guest speakers Georgia Miller, PhD, and Ellen Terry, MHS, who were featured in the program on “What does it mean to be addicted?” Terry has 30 years of experience as an addiction counselor in hospital out-patient clinician services. Miller has taught an array of graduate and undergraduate counseling and psychology courses. Also returning are Ariele Goldman and Anne Lucas who were the featured speakers for the program on “What does it mean to live with addiction?” Goldman fought her own addictions and now helps others in recovery while pursuing a degree in social work. Lucas has written a play, “Recovery,” in which she shares her own reality of living with a family member who fought addiction.

Joining the panel for the first time will be Paul Kusiak, an advocate for families and a community engagement consultant with Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

Serving as the panel moderator, Michelle Simons is the substance use prevention coordinator for the City of Lynn. She is a master’s licensed substance use clinician (LADC I, CADC) with Bridgewell / City of Lynn, MA, Prevention Werks. She takes a "meet people where they're at" approach so that no matter what stage of addiction or recovery a person is in she hopes they will never feel judged or disregarded because they are "not ready.”

Simons’ experience includes working with teens and adults in the addiction field since 2002 for several addiction rehab agencies. In January of 2018 she began teaching college level courses at North Shore Community College.

The 3 Voices program will be followed by an opportunity to continue the conversation with light desserts and beverages.

3 Voices programs are sponsored by Abbot Library and MHTV. All 3 Voices programs are free and open to the public. For more information about 3 Voices, visit 3Voices.org or contact 3voicesmhd@gmail.com.

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