By Alexa Russo | Observer Contributor
Ramsey Clayter, MWCC alum and creator of “The Link,” spoke about weakening the stigma of addiction through Narcan training, educational awareness, and holding more events on campus.
Narcan is a controversial topic, but Clayter believes Narcan training should be available for students who want to learn how to use Narcan. Narcan is covered under health insurances and is free with no prescription. “This would be an opportunity to save lives,” said Clayter.
By Maurisa Weld | Observer Contributor
Mental Health Counselor Melissa Manzi deals with opiate addiction on a regular basis. Though students don’t usually seek out treatment with Manzi, she said students come to her for help when loved ones are battling addiction.
An Opiate Addiction Awareness Seminar was held and focused on, in addition to addiction, mental health. “I’ve had several students who have watched their parents overdose,” Manzi said, “and others who have had a total of three friends die to opiates.”
By Timothy Whalen Jr. | Observer Contributor
As you approach room 193, across from the Life Long Learning Center, you’ll Notice a sign that reads “Stigma Free Zone,” as well as the name of the co-founders, Jonathan Marshall and Ramsey Clayter or the newest MWCC program called The Link.
Mr. Marshall and Mr. Clayter, are helping students in recovery from substance abuse either enroll or re-enroll at Mount Wachusett Community College. In doing so, helping to finally fill the void of, for lack of a better word, the “black hole” of programs, not only at MWCC, but in the entire nation, geared at the growing community of individuals in recovery.