Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz recently paid a visit to the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center to see first-hand the great work being done to help addicted mothers.
On May 2, the Congresswoman toured the Pembroke Pines treatment facility and stopped along the way to talk with individual moms who all had compelling stories about their substance abuse and how the Center is giving them a new chance at a productive life.
One mother, Christine, told her story about being hooked on opioids while pregnant, but is now in recovery living with her healthy baby, has a new job and will soon be moving to a new home. The woman participated in the Center’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for pregnant mothers called Mothers In Recovery (MIR), a collaboration with Memorial Regional Hospital. Once fully detoxed from drugs, Christine was able to leave the hospital and start residential addiction treatment at the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center with her newborn, Stella.
“I was very impressed to hear that this mother successfully completed the program and has hope moving forward,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “I will continue to fight in Congress for the vital programs and services that centers like this one provides,” she said.
The Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe place for moms to get help for their addictions while keeping their children with them during treatment. While at the center, they not only receive much-needed therapy, but also a spectrum of education and career services. The children benefit because they are given therapy services as well.
Wasserman Schultz said she was impressed with the quality and quantity of services provided to these mothers and their children at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
"It is of paramount importance that we address the Opioid Crisis in our community,” said Omrit Shimoni, CEO of the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center. “More than 2,500 babies are born addicted to drugs in Florida annually, and an estimated two people die daily in Broward due to an overdose. We hope that other government officials follow the lead of Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz in supporting mothers and women in recovery.”
About the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center:
Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center’s mission is to transform families by providing help, hope, and healing for mothers and their children to live responsible drug-free lives. The nonprofit Center’s goals are the removal of barriers for women entering addiction treatment, the prevention of foster care placement for their children and an end to the cycle of addiction and abuse for families. For more information log on to www.sbacenter.org.
