Project Purple Spreads Across Garrett County

This year Garrett County’s observance of National Recovery Month in September took a diverse approach. Many people and organizations showed their support using the color purple, and presentations by a nationally known motivational speaker helped make the message more personal. “We brought Chris Herren to Garrett County to tell his journey from addiction to sobriety to help raise awareness about substance use disorder and remind everyone that it takes the entire community to combat this problem,” said Sadie Liller, Prevention Coordinator at the Garrett County Health Department. Herren spoke to all county students from 8^th through 12^th grade, as well as doing a public presentation at Garrett College. More than a dozen Garrett County businesses, agencies, and towns participated in Project Purple, a campaign to reduce the stigma of mental health and substance use disorders. Across the county buildings took on a purple hue, banners proclaimed #EndTheStigmaGC and #ItTakeUsAllGC, and staff wore purple attire. “We really appreciate the great response we received across the county,” said Liller. Activities for National Recovery Month and Project Purple were funded by the Rural Community Opioid Response Program Planning Grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Garrett County Behavioral Health Authority.

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department