Be Bold, Be Aware.
Nonprofit Organization: Be Bold Street Ministries
International Overdose Awareness Day
Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022
In the United States drug overdose has continued to skyrocket; From Dec. 2020 to Dec. 2021, the AMA reported more than 107,000 deaths in our nation due to this crisis. With the drug Fentanyl driving this epidemic, record highs of depression, and the lingering effects of Covid shutdowns and restrictions, the future of many Americans’ looks bleak.
In Oregon, where an average of five Oregonians die each week, we have one of the highest rates of prescription opioid abuse in the nation. Although heroin is still the leading cause of overdose deaths, fentanyl is rising dramatically. As the first state in the nation to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of illegal drugs in February 2021, our state hit an all-time high of overdose deaths. According to the Oregon Health Authority, there was a 41% increase in deaths from 2020 to 2021; many of which occurred among the homeless population. Oregonians are desperate to find a solution to this increasing problem.
To bring awareness to this devastating crisis, International Overdose Awareness Day was established to educate, support, and inform those whose lives have been affected by drug addiction, and to commemorate those who’ve lost their lives to it. International groups, policymakers, and medical professionals are only a few of the people that organize events to educate the public. These events include conferences, workshops, fundraising, and community outreach.
In support of International Drug Overdose Awareness Day, KSLM would like to highlight a local nonprofit, Be Bold Street Ministries, which is making a huge difference in the lives of many in our community that are currently living with an active addiction, and who are experiencing homelessness.
Be Bold Street Ministries was founded by Matt Maciera, a recovered addict who was rescued from 27 years of active addiction. Having been saved from the streets himself, Matt was sent back to share with all people the Good News of a Savior who makes His people whole. God led Matt to found Be Bold Street Ministries for that very purpose. The staff at Be Bold Street Ministries is out in the community every day investing in the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of many of the most broken in our society. This ministry is passionate about sharing the hope of Jesus with a lost and dying world.
As this organization has grown, so has its reach. Starting locally here in Salem, this organization is now reaching folks all over the world who are desperate for support, encouragement, and hope.
If you are interested in more information or serving with Be Bold Street Ministries, you can contact them at www.beboldstreetministries.org. This organization welcomes individuals as well as large groups who would like to volunteer during their service events. They also request your prayer – that God would enable their ministry to continue serving all people on the streets and that he would save and transform many lives. You can also help Be Bold Street Ministries in their mission by donating through their website at www.beboldstreetministries.org.