Team Meetings NOTE - Our team meetings are now

being held on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm at the Irwin Headquarters.

. Our team meetings are attended by staff

and dedicated volunteer individuals, along with the Officers and Directors, who help

map out our present and future events. We would like to hear from any of you about

ideas that you may have and want to contribute or, if you would like to attend the Team meeting in person, just contact one of

our staff or e-mail admin@sagesarmy.com.

Sage’s Army, Inc., P.O. Box 156, Westmoreland City, PA 15692. Phone: (724) 863-LIFE (5433). Access to this Newsletter can be found at our Website: www.sagesarmy.com, Email: admin@sagesarmy.com

Who we are…

Sage’s Army was created by

Carmen Capozzi and his wife

Cindy after his son, Sage

Capozzi, 20, died of a heroin

overdose. They felt it was

important to raise awareness of

drug problems among youth and erase the fear of

talking to parents about them.

Sage’s Army has grown and continues its

movement as a grass roots, non-profit, all

volunteer group and now has been blessed with

grant monies from the state of Pennsylvania. It will

continue on with the programs mentioned below

but now will have the resources to expand our

services to more and more people who need our

help. We will continue with the FREE weekly Family

Reinforcement/Recovery Sessions, bi-monthly Grief

meetings ((GRASP) for those who have lost loved

ones to this epidemic), a monthly Coffee Break for

women, presentations to schools, churches, or

groups wanting to learn more about addiction. We

also offer a 24/7 Phone Line assistance.

Please see Page 7 (Headquarters News) of

this Newsletter for full details.

Spring 2020

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to COMBAT issues related to drug and

alcohol addiction by providing informational support

to children and families by raising awareness ONE

PERSON AT A TIME.

Newly added events

at our Greensburg Office (below are the upcoming programs we anticipate

having in place for all to attend. Delays now in scheduling until the virus restrictions are removed)

Life Skills…Series of classes teaching basic life skills, the benefits of working in group formats, relapse prevention plans, coping skills, etc. Employment Classes…these classes will be run by Jillian Jensen from Life Works. She will be working to get individuals into the work force, helping to build resumes, mock interviews, etc. A four-part series. Veteran X Meetings…offering support and help to veterans who struggle with PTSD, mental health, and substance use disorder. All Recovery…this is an open meeting. It is not affiliated with any anonymous 12 step fellowship. A meeting for individuals to talk about what is happening in their lives without being judged.

Sage’s Army, Inc. Newsletter Page 2

“I really mean it when I say my biggest

fear in early recovery was that I would

never have fun again. The beautiful

truth is that recovery has given me

freedom and the confidence to go out in

the world and leave my own mark.”

~ Tom Stoddart

~Carrie Fisher

Events We Attended Regular Monthly meetings (Family, GRASP, Coffee Break, Veteran X, Life Skills, Employment Classes, All Recovery) not listed. Jan 14 – Celebrate Recovery…Carmen was a guest speaker. Jan 20 – Norwin Rotary…Kat (Sage’s Army, Director of Operations) spoke. Jan 22 – Clarion High School…Carmen and Brian (Events Coordinator for Sage’s Army) spoke. Feb 4 – Union High School…Carmen presented. Feb 13 – Cove Forge Behavioral Health…Adam (Sage’s Army CRS) spoke. Feb 14, 15 – Family Recovery Intervention Support Specialist Training at the Greensburg Center. Feb 17 – Confidentiality Seminar Training at the Greensburg Center. Feb 19 – Carmen and Kat spoke at the Monroeville Public Library. Feb 23 – Calvary Church…Carmen spoke with Glen Camagna from Nashville. Feb 29 – Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Forum. Mar 5 – WCSI Panel discussion, Carmen and Kat attending. Mar 10 – Lunch/Learn for Non-Profits, Norwin Chamber…Kat spoke. Due to our present circumstances, we were not able to complete our list of March events.

Upcoming Events ATTENTION! All physical meetings and events have been postponed until further notice pending further state policies on virus containment. NOTE that the Family Reinforcement/Recover Group Meetings, GRASP (Grief Group), Bible Study, and Morning Willingness with Adam will be utilizing Zoom

(remote meeting App) until further notice. Please see meeting flyers on Page 7 for additional information and continue to monitor the Sage’s Army Facebook page for updated information.

Words of

Wisdom

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”

~Zen Proverb

From the Sage’s Army Prayer

Team… a prayer for those in need Lord, You ministered to all who came to You. Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of Your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that best them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.

Sage’s Army, Inc. Newsletter Page 3

Newsworthy Tidbits Did you know...America has only 5% of the world’s population, yet consumes over 60% of

world’s illegal drugs.

Roughly…40% of people who have substance abuse problems also have mental health issues.

It’s a FACT…half of state prison inmates say they were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the time of

their arrest.

Save our Kids… children of drug/alcohol users most likely will become addicted themselves.

This has to end…more than 23 Million patients need alcohol and/or drug

treatment and only 3% get it.

Good News…90% of persons addicted, who work a program of recovery, stay clean and sober.

Not stopping…increases in suicides started in 2018, 14 deaths per 100,000 continues.

Fentanyl remains...the top killer involved in 2019 deaths…confirmed in Allegheny and

Westmoreland Counties.

Staggering…there are at least 3 to 5 OD’s per day in Westmoreland Co. alone. Some are saved with Narcan.

Ranked fourth…Penna still has one of the highest rates of death in Country from overdoses.

It has not gone away…Pa troopers seized over $43M in illicit drugs last year.

Be vigilant…continue working towards a drug free environment. It does not come

easy…Sage’s Army staff can help you.

Scientists can now manipulate brain cells using a smartphone…A team of scientists have invented a device that

can control neural circuits using a tiny brain implant controlled by a smartphone. The device could speed up

efforts to uncover brain diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, addiction, depression, and pain.

Officials warn of drug called “Gray Death” …” You don’t want to touch this,” police said. “If at

all possible, you don’t even want to put it on your hands. Be aware of the color, it looks like

concrete.”

Life expectancy in U.S. increases for first time in 4 years…after four years of declines, life expectancy in the

United States increased in 2018, health officials report. Jump comes as deaths from opioid overdoses dropped for

the first time in 28 years.

Sage’s Army, Inc. Newsletter Page 4

Don’t miss Scott

Brown’s LATEST book, Hope and Heartbreak: Beyond the Numbers of the Opioid Epidemic. You will read about one character such as Carmen Capozzi, a grieving father, founded Sage’s Army and marched on policymakers from here to the Nation’s Capital. And another character, a mother, who takes her son to buy heroin and watches him shoot up. Why? Because it seemed better than seeing him suffer withdrawal.

Ken Bacha, Westmoreland County Coroner: “Officials are seeing an increase in

methamphetamine and cocaine being present in the systems of those who overdose and

die in our county. The opioid addiction issue has not waned.”

Tim Phillips, Task Force Director, Westmoreland County, on

drug survivors with Narcan: “Those people need help to get

into treatment and stay clean. We are seeing a lot of people

now survivng overdose.”

Tony Marcocci, County Detective, Westmoreland County, on

the drug problems we see now: “The problem has not gone

away. Opiate addiction is still out there, alive and strong.”

Dr Kenneth Stoller, Director of John Hopkins Broadway Center

for Addiction: “Mental health disorders and addiction are both

diseases of the brain that are very tied together in a very

dangerous way.”

Pennsylvania’s Governor Wolf on mental health stigma: “ For those struggling with their

mental health, we have one message: Your mental health matters and it is okay to reach

out for help.”

Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General: “ The cost of not helping individuals

with opioid addiction was $440 Billion. Includes cost lost to productivity, as well as

addiction related costs associated with the criminal justice system, health care and human

services.”

It IS TRUE! More people die

from prescription pain reliever overdoses like Vicodin and OxyContin than from heroin and cocaine combined!

VIVITROL Warnings! Vivitrol, advertised by their makers as a non-addictive, once monthly treatment option, has now been warned by the FDA that it can cause real problems. Studies have shown it can be as effective as buprenorphine (suboxone) at preventing overdose but when many patients struggle to maintain the treatment, it can cause dangers of relapse and fatal overdose. There may be a more effective treatments to pursue.

NOTABLE QUOTES

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…released data

showing fatal drug overdoses declined in 2018 for the first time in 28 years,

but recent data shows nationally we have increased in overdoses during the

first 6 months of 2019.

From Penna Department of Human Services…in a first of it’s kind

program, Pa. is paying hospitals to get patients into opioid treatment after

patients visit the emergency room for overdose. From Penna…Good News!

Narcan use in

From Penna…Good News! Narcan use in Penna resulted in more than 7102

reported overdose reversals as of Feb. Almost 30,000 doses of narcan have

been administered by emergency medical services in one years time in Pa.

Sage’s Army, Inc. Newsletter Page 5

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? Let us help you find the answer. I am so afraid my son is going to relapse. What can I do? Help him realize the “triggers” that can make him crave drugs or alcohol. Common triggers include:

• Seeing places, such as bars’ or things like wine glasses, needles, etc. related to using

• Being around people who are using

• Feeling stressed, sad, lonely, guilty

• They must never think they will use just one last time or that they can control or hide their use. It is a sure way to relapse

• If you cannot help or guide them, have them call their sponsor, someone else in their self-help group or therapist, before it gets too serious. I have heard of Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS). What is it they do to help addiction and where can I get their help? These people have an understanding of and respect for each individual’s unique path to recovery and a working knowledge of the drug and alcohol treatment system with a demonstrated commitment to the recovery community. They serve as a role model, mentor, advocate and motivator to recovering individuals in order to help prevent relapse and promote long term recovery and develop a peer to peer relationship with their client. Contact Sage’s Army at 724-863-5433 for more information on our CRS personnel who can help you. There is no fee for this service. I am in recovery and recently had an injury. What drugs should I avoid for pain and what are substitutes for relief? Even Tylenol and aspirin can be dangerous in recovery, particularly when they are laced with codeine and caffeine. Some pain relief can be acquired thru acupuncture and acupressure, chiropractic manipulation for the body, cold and hot compress therapy, hydrotherapy whirlpool baths, and aloe vera for burns. Hypnosis or Trigger Point Therapy if chronic pain is the problem. Immobilization of an injured body, massage to reduce tension and pain, Physical Therapy, relaxation, rest, meditation, ultrasound for deep penetrating sound waves. In cases of EXTREME pain, ibuprofen is effective and thought not to carry danger of relapse, but this is a medical decision. Advise your Doctor that you are in recovery.

Why are health agencies urging Hepatitis C screenings? Because about half of people with the infection, do not know it. The U.S. Prevention Services Task Force says Hep C is on the rise because of the opioid crisis, prompting the recommendations to expand testing (infection is spread by sharing drug needles). Drugs are

now available to cure this infection, otherwise this is a liver damaging virus that can be serious or fatal if not treated. AskK the Question and we will find the answer. Submit questions to newsletter@sagesarmy.com or by snail mail to Sage’s Army Inc., PO Box 156, Westmoreland City, Pa. 15692

Sage’s Army, Inc. Newsletter Page 6

RESOURCE PHONE NUMBERS Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission – 800 220-1810 ext. 2 Allegheny County Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services – 412 350-3328 Butler County MH/MR Drug and Alcohol – 800 292-3866 Cambria County MH/MR Drug and Alcohol – 814 536-5388 Clarion/Armstrong/Indiana Drug and Alcohol – 724 354-2746 Fayette County Drug and Alcohol - 724 354-2746 Somerset County Drug and Alcohol – 800 452-0218 Washington D&A Commission – 724 223-1181 Westmoreland CRISIS Hotline – 800 836-6010 Alcoholics Anonymous – 866 851-8459 Narcotics Anonymous – 800 992-0401 PA Get Help Now Helpline – 800 662-4357 Sage’s Army Helpline – 724 863-5433

Sage’s Army…a “Game Changer” in Western Pa. by Rich Jones, Favor, CEO at FAVOR Greenville

I understand the Pennsylvania drug and alcohol system pretty well. I worked deeply in that system in Allegheny County and later in Westmoreland. Did a tour of duty in Northeastern PA, was a pretty active PCB trainer 10 years ago. I have nothing but respect for all the people I have met along the way there. I thought I would live happily ever after in the commonwealth. I'm very committed to this community and even more to Carmen and Cindy and that squad. I have a vested interest in my hometown. The Pennsylvania state drug and alcohol commission (DDAP) has stepped up and funded the launch of service delivery within this organization. The organization has incredible political supporters and champions who also stepped up. However, the community of Westmoreland County should be prepared to sustain this organization. This first funding cycle will be over in a blink of an eye. This organization has already proven itself a game changer with 7 plus years of advocacy and awareness. With the addition of services, Sages Army is going to explode in numbers, reach and impact over the next year. You do not understand the impact of an effectively run Recovery Community Organization until you see it happen over time. It's very hard to explain the ripple effect and unseen work. Substance use disorder is a community public health issue. It impacts everyone in one way or another. Whether you are dealing with SUD yourself, a family member with a loved one in crisis or just your average everyday citizen. Everyone is impacted. AND…RECOVERY BENEFITS EVERYONE. Everyone in this community is better off if SAGES ARMY becomes a permanent fixture!

For a listing of In/Out Patient Treatment Facilities please go to our website (sagesarmy.com) and look under Addiction Resources OR call the Sage’s Army Help Line at (724) 863-5433.

Article of the Quarter

CONGRATULATIONS! Westmoreland County Drug Court recently graduated four more participants. This is the eighth graduation since the court was unveiled in 2014. “This is a very intensive program to get to graduation day.” Says Judge Bilik-Defazio.

A BIG THANK YOU…to the teachers and volunteers who are helping us set up learning classes for those in recovery AND helping us with the fun sober events at the Sage’s Army Greensburg Center! ALL are FREE to the public! Also, not to forget our staff of Certified Recovery Specialists that are here to serve you!

Sage’s Army, Inc. Newsletter Page 7

Sage’s Army will schedule a presentation to your school, company, church, or any group. Please download our Presentation Form under What We Do, Projects, then Presentations on our website at Sagesarmy.com

Does anyone have a pool table to donate to the Sage’s Army Greensburg Center for our Sober Events? It would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Please check Facebook page to determine the status of the below meetings.

.

WANTED…Sage’s Army needs you now

more than ever. Every level of volunteer services can be put to good use with our new expanded programs and events. Contact us at 724 863-5433 or by email at admin@sagesarmy.com to sign up!

Headquarters Meetings and Events

Sage’s Army, Inc. Newsletter Page 8

Sage’s Army, Inc. is a 501 © (3)-non-profit Sage’s

Army, Inc. is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization.

All donations to which tax deductible to the fullest

tent permitted by law are, are tax deductible. To

donate to Sage’s Army, please

visit us on the web at

sagesarmy.com.

From OUR President,

Carmen Capozzi…

Stay hopeful because you have breath in your lungs and a working heart planted firmly in your chest, and you have this day in which you can speak, and live, and create, and work, and resist, and love. You are here and ALIVE! Do not waste your choice.

Your Business Card HERE… $40.00 for business card size for 3 months. $110.00 for 4 X 5 insert for 3 months. $120.00 for business card size for 12 months (paid in advance). Distribution: Hard copies to professionals, churches, medical offices, events, meetings, schools, etc. Extensive database distribution, local social media (15,000) and millions on the web. For additional information, contact newsletter team by email at: newsletter@sagesarmy.com

For those of you who wish to join our “Closed” page on Facebook…just request to be added by sending us a message on the “Open” page and we will add you.

Place your business card here for wide circulation!