HISTORY
In May 2016, a group of concerned citizens came together to face the growing challenges of substance use on Martha’s Vineyard. The grassroots effort led to the development of the Martha’s Vineyard Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Coalition, an unincorporated Island-wide community coalition composed of the major health and social support institutions and concerned citizens on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard.
The mission of the Martha's Vineyard Substance Use Disorder Coalition is to raise awareness, bridge services gaps, and decrease stigma of substance use disorder through education, prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
VALUES
We believe that addiction is an illness - not a choice or a moral failing.
We believe that individuals suffering from substance use disorder and their loved ones need continual support throughout addiction, treatment, recovery, and beyond.
We believe that ending stigma and breaking down barriers for effective prevention, treatment and recovery efforts are essential.
We believe that substance use disorder prevention and education is critical to behavioral and physical health.
We believe that substance use disorders require treatment, and individuals in treatment deserve respect and support, just like anyone with a chronic illness - mental or physical.
We believe there are many different pathways to recovery and each individual determines his or her own way.
We believe that together we can combat and erase the stigma surrounding addiction and substance use disorders.
MEMBERSHIP
The coalition has representation from the following stakeholders:
Concerned community members
Members of the recovery community
AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
Aquinnah Police Department
Break the Silence MV
Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office
Chilmark Town Police Dept
Dukes County Administration
Dukes County Commissioners
Dukes County Community Corrections
Dukes County Sheriff's Department
Edgartown Police Department
Health Imperatives
Healthy Aging MV
Island Clergy Association
Island Health Care
Island Wide Youth Collaborative
Learn to Cope
Martha's Vineyard All Island Boards of Health
Martha's Vineyard Community Services
Martha's Vineyard Hospital
Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools
NAMI Cape Cod and Islands
Oak Bluffs Police Department
Patient Centric MV
Tisbury Police Department
Vineyard House
West Tisbury Police Department
YMCA of Martha's Vineyard
Youth Task Force
About