Rockland: Local group, providing support for drug addiction, plans vigil

Rockland CARES– that’s the motto, and the name, of a new group aimed at raising awareness to an ongoing, widespread battle of drug addiction.

Co-founders Mike Mullen and Marilyn Werkheiser struggled with what the town could do to help residents struggling with drug addiction.

“It’s a wonderful community, and in order to heal and get better you have to embrace the entire community,” said Werkheiser. “That is what we have  have been struggling with for a while,  about how do we go about doing this– and that is how Michael and I came up with Rockland CARES ”

Werkheiser says Rockland is no different than any other community, when it comes to the issue of  drug abuse.

One of the aims of the group, according to Werkheiser, who herself has had experience dealing with a family member who battled drug abuse, is to get people to be able to identify a friend, family member, or neighbor with a problem.

“We want to come out and be supportive of everybody and we want everyone to learn how to be supportive in regards to this drug abuse problem,” said Werkheiser. “We want people to understand that it’s O.K. to admit that it’s going on in their family. We are not judgmental and we are all here to help.”

Rockland CARES is planning a candlelight vigil for August 24th, in the town center  to raise awareness.