Amare reminds folks of free sobriety resources

By Editor | February 13, 2024 |

By Cory Davenport

Overdose deaths and drug-related issues have plagued most of the country for years, and the struggle continues, despite medical technology, sobriety resources, and the general knowledge of the danger of these drugs.

Jersey County is not exempt from this issue, either. According to the Jersey Community Hospital’s website, as many as 47 people from Jersey and Greene Counties have perished from drug-related issues while under medical care. Many folks are unaware of their options when they or their family members fall into drug addiction. However, as this is an issue crossing all demographics, there are resources matching nearly any situation. One way to find these resources – free of charge – is Amare NFP.

Founded by Ty Bechel whose past battles with addiction have inspired the founding of this group, several books, and a popular play, Amare NFP is named for the Italian verb for love – love as an action. Bechel wanted to not only help his fellow addicts find a way from their personal darkness, he wanted to reintegrate them into the communities they may have lost during their struggles. He believes community is key to helping folks stay the course.

Currently, Amare is mainly funded by grants with some donations, so its services are free. Originally based in Madison County, Amare NFP’s Jersey County office on County Road has been opened for around a year and Bechel would like to see it utilized more.

Among the services provided by Amare NFP are finding help for folks who need it. Whether someone wants to enter a 12-step program, churches, secular communities, or medical assistance, Amare NFP can find folks the best path forward that works for them. They also provide support for family members of someone experiencing addiction. Bechel said he appreciates a person-first model for recovery.

“Everybody’s recovery journey is different,” he said. “We want to help them find what works the best for them – whatever that looks like.”

Most of the folks working at Amare NFP have experiences with addiction. Bechel said he believes that will help folks starting their journeys toward recovery find common ground with people wanting to support them.

“It offers a level of discernment you don’t see a lot,” he said. “Once people know they have been there too and are not judged for it, it lets them know they can get better.”

Bechel estimated around 90 percent of Amare’s staff and 50 percent of its board have had direct experience with addiction.

In addition to helping with recovery, Bechel said his organization works to keep people in the good habits supporting that recovery, including housing and employment. He said gaining housing and employment is easier than folks being able to keep it. Because of that, Bechel said they work with folks to ensure they learn and utilize the proper habits to keep them housed and employed. He said they work with people regarding job expectations and the need to show up every day and be on time. On average, they usually work with folks for three to six months before the person can make it on their own.

Before the passage of the SAFE-T Act, Bechel said they would meet a lot of folks in jail, having recently been arrested for drugs. Currently, however, their main points of contact are probation officers and families, although Bechel said Jersey County Sheriff Nicholas Manns has been both cooperative and supportive with their goals, so they do get referrals from recent arrests.

Amare NFP can be reached at (618) 331-5905. Anyone who calls will be connected to someone who will have a wealth of experience in recovery.