Cycle of Addiction, where do we begin?  
Educate, Raise awareness (let those who have no clue get one!), Set forward thinking agenda's.

Research- read these relevant reports, the facts and information are here for us, we need to use them to assist in our efforts, this means reading and asking lots of questions!  If you have questions feel free to write us!

Genetics, and Environmental factors, determine the likelihood of our children's plight. 

Today we do have great hope in Addiction Science, to address the genetic issues that we know the cycle of addiction goes on generation after generation. 

Meanwhile,  our communities (our neighborhood, culture, exposure to risks within the area in which we live and raise our families) and the environmental risk factors are our responsibility.  We must educate ourselves and others if we expect to reduce the environmental risks.  Research is available, however it generally gives only a peak in the window.  Addiction and abuse of alcohol and other drugs effects are much greater, and we must look at issues that relate to a medical disease that carries great social costs when untreated.

Addiction is the nation's number one public health problem, yet how overshadowed is it when compared to the awareness most have for cancer, or diabetes?  The stigma, and social problems related to this brain disease has limited the ability of many to gain access to primary information related to the disease, and of course, we can't begin to address the problem, if millions are unclear or uneducated on the facts.


What impact does marketing have on those with a genetic predisposition?  How can warning labels provide strength and credibility to parents in recovery who educate their children on their risks and family history related to addiction?  What impact does the lack regulation have on those who may be totally unaware of their high risk when consuming addictive products like alcohol?

Read Economic Report-Problem Drinkers, Underage consumption---Good customers for the Alcohol Industry

We must take action to continue to improve our communities and the resources available.  I urge you to become part of the solution, volunteer in your parish to "pass on" information, sign up to help in areas you have interest, to not be part of the solution, means excepting the problem. Realizing the underlying power that we the citizens of this state carry is critical, it is our hope, and our voice.  Register vote, research those in your area, and ask others to do the same.  The social and economic costs of untreated addiction alone, are staggering.  Voting for candidates who have little or no education on addiction related issues only furthers our work.  Providing education to law makers, and holding them accountable reduces our work!

What is HopeNetworks? 
We are an organization that provides a bridge to connect all community support organizations with one common goal: Reducing the impact of addiction on society, community, family, and individuals.

Making a dent in reducing the social ills and costs that states and their communities face as a result of rampant untreated cycles of addiction.  We hope to raise awareness and educate the public, we plan and facilitate innovative projects that directly impact awareness
in our communities.  One of our primary projects is developing our Real People, Really Recover outreach and action group.  Too many people get clean and sober, and fight to survive in life, we must voice our needs, participate in our communities, and give back to those still struggling.

Why Louisiana?
There is a tremendous need to connect community resources, people, and hope!  Louisiana leads the nation  in Illiteracy, Poverty, and Incarceration, we were the Unhealthiest state for the 3rd year in a row according to the United Health Foundation Study. This is not acceptable, but not uncommon, many states are struggling in these areas, and in great part, unaware of the real issues, roots, of these problems.

We must take action to improve our communities, strong action, with a clear path for change, there must be hope for our children, family, friends, this is our state!  We must work together, seeking innovation, best practices, and commitment to change.  Systems in place are not working, things are not improving.  We have the ability to change this and together we are doing just that.  We hope to provide information, education, and a network or communication to all involved in efforts to improve communities by supporting addiction recovery efforts.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

•  How is it possible to move our state forward when citizens are struggling to read or write?  
•  How is it possible to feed your family when you can't fill out a job application? 
•  How is it possible to move from communities that are chained to cycles of poverty?
•  How can any of the above issues be addressed when hopeless and despair of untreated         addiction, and abuse run rampant, many unaware of any other "way of life"?

People who have come from generations of addictive disorders,  combined with the social ills that accompany all forms of addiction, are weathered in adversity, and often it becomes a way of life.  Addicts face great struggle in a seemingly hopeless effort to move beyond doing what "they know".  
What hope is there? 

Getting clean and sober, just to face the misery of a job that doesn't provide the most basic needs in life?  Feeling trapped in poverty, without skills to improve quality of life for your family?  Too many are facing these issues without hope for improvement.  Fighting the battle to function,  support family,  and remain clean and sober, is no easy task, these are barriers often that trap many in the very cycles they are trying to escape. 

How is it possible to consider time for growth when you are fighting each day simply to  survive? 

There are many organizations in our 64 parishes, and across the country,  committed to reducing  "results" of this cycle of destruction in our communities.  They are essentially "cleaning up" after a disease that responds to prevention and treatment.   Vocational skills, parenting skills, life skills, faith based/spiritual support,  healthcare services, and support, treatment/aftercare/continued care support, are all part of the "solution".  The solution is a community based comprehensive support system. Systems that address the needs both medically, and socially of those in need.  There are also those who work to "prevent" the cycle, and culture of dysfunction.

However, there is not one single organization that truly unites the" Trenches" to move forward in their common goal. Affording groups and individuals the ability to participate in actions to reduce the harm related to addiction in their communities.   That is our purpose in all work we do within HopeNetworks.org.

We invite you to become part of our purpose, for together we can do what know one of us can do alone!