THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 17, 2023 Page 13 MOA hosts annual ‘Stop the Stigma Day’ at Malden schools Special to The Advocate O n Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Malden Overcoming Addiction (MOA) held their annual Malden Stop the Stigma Day. A whirlwind tour of schools started at the Beebe at 8:15 a.m. and ended with a visit to Malden High School that concluded at 2:15 p.m. In between, members of the MOA Board of Directors visited every public school in Malden and also made presentations at the Cheverus School and Malden Catholic High School. MOA extends deep its appreciation and thanks to all of the students and staff who participated. The increased awareness and education in schools will help us as we continue the work. Prior to the day, the Malden High School Media program, under the guidance of teacher/advisor Jim Valente, created a video around stereotyping and stopping stigma that was shown in each of the schools before MOA staff arrived. Teen Advocates Sharing Knowledge (TASK) members from the Malden YWCA had their video shared with Malden Public Schools (MPS) employBeebe School Cheverus School MOA President/City of Malden Addiction Recovery Resource Specialist Paul Hammersley, MOA Vice President Dana Brown, MOA Board Member PJ Bell and MOA Board Secretary Linda Cochran at the Ferryway School. ees as well. Their “Faces of Recovery” project, which was led this summer by Chris Murphy and Paul Hammersley, focused on people in recovery and their stories and was highlighted at a recent Malden School Committee meeting. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy accompanied MOA staff to each of the public schools and spoke about the resources available throughout Malden and within the MPS. When he addressed the students, MOA President/ City of Malden Addiction Recovery Resource Specialist Paul SCHOOLS | SEE PAGE 18
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