"Essential But Incomplete" Public Service Announcement
- C. Jamie Edwards
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Produced by: Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery and Surry on the Go
Core Concept & Inspiration
The central theme of this video is that while various community services are essential for addressing substance use and promoting health, any single service on its own is incomplete.
Original Inspiration
The video's framework is based on the article "Every response is incomplete" by Jason Schwartz, published on Recovery Review on October 17, 2023 (Source: https://recoveryreview.blog/2023/10/17/every-response-is-incomplete/)
The "Silver Bullet" Fallacy: Schwartz argues that there are no "silver bullets" in drug policy or addiction treatment. As SCOSAR materials emphasize: "The truth is that there are no silver bullets. However, the scale and severity of the crisis intensify the desperation for silver bullets. Worse, the search for a silver bullet leads us astray and encourages each player to pretend to be THE solution to all substance use problems."
This philosophy is explicitly embraced in SCOSAR's approach:
"Specialty treatment is essential and an incomplete response."
"Medical treatment is essential and an incomplete response."
"Law enforcement is essential and an incomplete response."
"Recovery communities are essential and an incomplete response."
"Community action is essential and an incomplete response."
"Family responses are essential and an incomplete response."
"Public policy is essential and an incomplete response."
A Call for Humility and Collaboration The article argues that if every system (law enforcement, healthcare, harm reduction, etc.) recognizes it is "essential and incomplete," they can better work together to fill the gaps in the social fabric. SCOSAR materials note: "Can these systems improve? Absolutely, but they will only be a fragment of the solution without the rest."
Why This Concept Matters to Surry County
For SCOSAR, this philosophy is the foundation of their Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC).
Jamie Edwards, Director of the office, explains that while individual agencies provide critical services, the "whole" is only achieved when the community provides a supportive environment that encourages respect and hope [00:52]. SCOSAR recognizes that "meaningful progress requires an 'all-hands-on-deck' approach, engaging not only treatment providers but also families, schools, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and people with lived experience."
The Puzzle Metaphor
No single organization holds the entire picture of recovery; they are all "puzzle pieces" that must be joined to support individuals in long-term sobriety and health [00:45].
Closing the Gap
By admitting that their individual efforts are incomplete, Surry County agencies move away from silos and toward a "complete fabric of support" [09:11]. As SCOSAR's community research states: "The community recognizes that meaningful progress against substance use problems can only be achieved through broad collaboration."
SCOSAR's Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Framework
A Recovery-Oriented System of Care encompasses the entire network of services and supports that help individuals improve health and wellness. The ROSC model is:
Person-Centered: Placing the individual receiving support at the center of the process
Strength-Based: Identifying and building upon each individual's assets and strengths
Community-Based: Engaging the larger ecosystem of support beyond clinical models
Inclusive of Holistic Approaches: Addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs
Recovery-Focused: Viewing recovery as a journey of healing, growth, and self-discovery
"The central focus of a recovery-oriented system of care is to create a vibrant ecosystem of supports and resources to effectively address the full range of substance use challenges within communities while placing the person receiving the support at the center of the process."
Key Community Partners Featured
The video showcases a diverse range of stakeholders who each identify their service as "essential but incomplete":
Public Safety & Justice: Surry County Sheriff's Office [01:16], Emergency Services [02:11], and the Accountability and Recovery Court [05:04]
Healthcare & Mental Health: Northern Regional Hospital [07:54], Daymark Recovery Services [08:12], and the ACT Team (Easterseals Port Health) [05:45]
Education & Youth: Surry County Schools [04:40], The Children's Center of NWNC [03:21], and Allstars Prevention Coalition [06:41]
Community & Civic Groups: Mt. Airy Rotary Club [02:57], United Fund of Surry [07:30], and the Mount Airy News [02:28]
Government & Employment: City of Mount Airy [03:58], Surry County Health & Nutrition Center [04:21], and NCWorks Career Center [06:54]
These partnerships reflect SCOSAR's commitment to community collaboration. The office works with workforce development, training providers, mental health and substance use treatment services, prevention programs, businesses, community organizations, local hospitals, public health, volunteer groups, and criminal justice entities.
Community Voices: The Call for Collaboration
Community interviews conducted by SCOSAR reveal the depth of concern and the call for unified action:
"There is little grasp on the Continuum of Care, we must teach people about Prevention, Intervention, Treatment and Recovery."
"Organized recovery efforts are such a niche field, it's hard to be perceived as part of ordinary medical care sadly. There is bias about who is vulnerable, the disease of addiction is not understood. We need to combat misconceptions by promoting stories of recovery that are true and accurate; people need to be exposed to recovery stories."
"It's rare that I don't talk to a community leader that is not concerned. Business leaders are concerned too, the economic impact is growing and has been growing for the past two decades."
The community has spoken clearly: "Residents and stakeholders call for an 'all-hands-on-deck' approach, involving not just treatment providers, but also families, schools, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and people with lived experience."
The Final Word
The video concludes with Cynthia Wilson, a person in long-term recovery, and Charlotte Reeves, Prevention and Administrative Services Manager. They remind us that recovery is a journey, not a destination, and it is only through these interconnected efforts that the community can provide the comprehensive care its residents deserve [08:30], [09:20].
As SCOSAR affirms: "The consensus is clear: overcoming substance use challenges is a shared responsibility, and only through coordinated, compassionate, and practical action can the community create lasting solutions and restore hope."
SCOSAR Leadership & Contact
C. Jamie Edwards, MA, M.Ed., LCAS, CCS, CPS, LSATP – Director
Steve Lawson, MPA – Assistant Director
Charlotte Reeves, MA, CPSS – Prevention and Administrative Services Manager
Surry County Historic Courthouse, 114 West Atkins Street, Dobson, NC 27017 www.surrycountycares.com
About the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery (SCOSAR)
Founded in 2018, the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery (SCOSAR) is an arm of Surry County Government dedicated to building a comprehensive "continuum of care" that eliminates barriers for residents seeking treatment and recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). SCOSAR's sole mission is to reduce the impact of substance use on individuals, families, agencies, organizations, and businesses throughout Surry County.
SCOSAR's Mission
"The Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery Serves Surry County Organizations and Residents Seeking Health and Wellness Improvement, Self-Direction, and Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Change and Recovery."
SCOSAR's Vision "The Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery Empowers Surry County Organizations and Residents through Partnerships Advancing Community Health and Safety."
Core Values SCOSAR operates with rigorous ethical standards and expertise, respecting the dignity and welfare of all people while promoting self-determination and honoring community—acting with humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and gratitude.
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