JOHN J. TASSONI JR., a former state senator, recently was appointed the new director of operations, community and government relations for the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of Rhode Island, the advocacy organization representing Rhode Island agencies that provide mental health and addiction treatment, risky-substance-use prevention and wellness services to more than 20,000 individuals each year. Tassoni also hosts “Recovery Radio,” which offers information to those suffering from addiction, on WPRV-AM 790.
You’ve advocated throughout your political career to help those in need. Why is substance-abuse treatment near and dear to you? I wanted to take on an issue that so many people are having struggles with, that ruin the life of the person and their families, and that I know that I can make a difference. I really was tired of seeing so many people lose their lives over this dreaded disease.
Given the state is gripped in an opioid crisis, has the importance of your new role with the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council grown substantially? Yes. My priority is to connect the leadership council to outside agencies to develop private and public partnerships, so we have a team of people working together for the same outcome. I am also focusing on addressing the stigma that is a barrier for people who are struggling with this disease.
What new initiatives do you plan on developing in your new role? I will be expanding our reach into the community to raise awareness about the services that our members offer – we are the best-kept secret in R.I., that’s why we need to get the word out. More training on substance use and mental health issues in the community. We have been asked to provide training to the courts, labor unions, etc. We will also be developing online training for our members, updating the website, Facebook, and expanding our marketing and public relations activities. Most importantly, we will continue to promote the Hope and Recovery Line – 942-STOP that is managed by the leadership council. Recovery House is next on our list to promote.
How much of an impact has the legislation to create a high school program for teens in recovery had on the state? Well, we introduced, and the General Assembly passed, the K-12 substance-abuse classes back into the schools. I sponsored the Recovery High School legislation in 2012 and it is currently running well [through] The Providence Center. There is also more to be done, but funding is an issue. We also are in great need for adolescent residential treatment in R.I.
Does people sharing their recovery stories on your show offer those who need help hope that they can get help? Have people called you to say they got clean because of your show? I have had a few people tell me that my show has made a difference in their lives to make the step to receive treatment. I have also had parents and grandparents reach out to share their stories after they had called me for help. I’m not shy to share my cell number to anyone who may need my help, whether it’s for housing, substance use, alcohol and others. My parents were the ones that instilled this in me – always try to help the people who are in need. It’s always stuck with me.