Officer Savnik educates on addiction
As the student resource officer at WHS, Officer Elizabeth Savnik seeks to help and protect students every day when she comes to work. Recently, this has meant speaking in numerous classes around the school about the resources that Union County has available to combat drug and alcohol addiction.
“I recently received training on this topic at Rutgers University, so I feel that I bring a lot of knowledge and expertise,” Savnik said. “I want [students] to know all of the resources and prevention education that is out there regarding addiction, so they can help themselves or their family members or anyone they know.
“It might not be at this moment in their lives, but it might be years from now, and they just need to know that there are people to help them, including myself.”
In her presentations, Savnik highlights several programs in the county, including Raymond J. Lesniak Recovery High School in Roselle, which is offered for local students recovering from addiction. The school offers students a chance to get a complete academic and social experience while maintaining their own recovery, as returning to school can be a major trigger for relapse.
Savnik also raises awareness about the Union County Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) program, whose mission is to provide support and treatment for patients and families battling drug addiction, and to reintegrate them into their communities. Through this program, addicts can get help from professionals by going to either the Union County Sheriff’s Office or the Union County Police Department during specific hours.
Additional programs that Savnik wants to bring attention to are the Prevention Links Program, which provides resources and crisis intervention to families and individuals battling various issues, and Project Medicine Drop, which provides a safe location for people to dispose of unused medications.
With the emergence of the opioid epidemic in the United States and within New Jersey itself, Savnik sees now as the ideal time to dive into conversations about drug abuse.
“It’s a passion of mine to help others and help people know about the resources that Union County provides,” she said. “Why not bring [students] education about it now before it becomes an epidemic in our area?”
According to Savnik, a major roadblock to an addict reaching recovery is the societal stigma attached to their illness.
“It’s a society that stereotypes the image of a drug user,” Savnik said. “Anyone could get a surgery or have something in their life unexpectedly happen to them, and get legally prescribed medication and end up getting addicted to it.”
By giving these presentations, Savnik hopes to let students know that there are resources available for them and their loved ones facing addiction, even after the initial detoxification stage.
“Just like a diabetic, you still need to monitor your disease,” Savnik said. “The recovery after is very important.”
An additional way in which Savnik has started the conversation about drug abuse is by creating a display case near the cafeterias which raises awareness about drug abuse and its victims. The display case highlights the importance of self-respect and features quotes from WHS staff members about how they pursue a natural high.
Though she works primarily at WHS, Savnik is hoping to extend her presentations into Westfield middle schools, as well as fifth-grade classrooms.
“Our society puts people down when they are in that situation, when we should really be helping and wanting to help get them out of that deep, dark hole that they are in,” Savnik said. “If you want to get the help, and are ready to make the change, then you are on the path to recovery.”
“It might not be at this moment in their lives, but it might be years from now, and they just need to know that there are people to help them, including myself.”
In her presentations, Savnik highlights several programs in the county, including Raymond J. Lesniak Recovery High School in Roselle, which is offered for local students recovering from addiction. The school offers students a chance to get a complete academic and social experience while maintaining their own recovery, as returning to school can be a major trigger for relapse.
Savnik also raises awareness about the Union County Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) program, whose mission is to provide support and treatment for patients and families battling drug addiction, and to reintegrate them into their communities. Through this program, addicts can get help from professionals by going to either the Union County Sheriff’s Office or the Union County Police Department during specific hours.
Additional programs that Savnik wants to bring attention to are the Prevention Links Program, which provides resources and crisis intervention to families and individuals battling various issues, and Project Medicine Drop, which provides a safe location for people to dispose of unused medications.
With the emergence of the opioid epidemic in the United States and within New Jersey itself, Savnik sees now as the ideal time to dive into conversations about drug abuse.
“It’s a passion of mine to help others and help people know about the resources that Union County provides,” she said. “Why not bring [students] education about it now before it becomes an epidemic in our area?”
According to Savnik, a major roadblock to an addict reaching recovery is the societal stigma attached to their illness.
“It’s a society that stereotypes the image of a drug user,” Savnik said. “Anyone could get a surgery or have something in their life unexpectedly happen to them, and get legally prescribed medication and end up getting addicted to it.”
By giving these presentations, Savnik hopes to let students know that there are resources available for them and their loved ones facing addiction, even after the initial detoxification stage.
“Just like a diabetic, you still need to monitor your disease,” Savnik said. “The recovery after is very important.”
An additional way in which Savnik has started the conversation about drug abuse is by creating a display case near the cafeterias which raises awareness about drug abuse and its victims. The display case highlights the importance of self-respect and features quotes from WHS staff members about how they pursue a natural high.
Though she works primarily at WHS, Savnik is hoping to extend her presentations into Westfield middle schools, as well as fifth-grade classrooms.
“Our society puts people down when they are in that situation, when we should really be helping and wanting to help get them out of that deep, dark hole that they are in,” Savnik said. “If you want to get the help, and are ready to make the change, then you are on the path to recovery.”
