“… to all the people out there who may be struggling using alcohol or drugs in the community, just know there is hope, and help for you today.” – Brad Finegood
The King County Council presents the 2022 Recovery Champion Award in Seattle, WA. on Oct. 4, 2022.
Council honors Brad Finegood with 2022 Recovery Champion Award – King County
Left to right: Recovery Café Executive Director David Coffey, Washington Recovery Alliance Executive Director Ely Hernandez, King County Recovery Coalition Director Heather Venegas, Oxford House Outreach Services Representative Ricky Mogel, Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, 2022 Recovery Champion Award recipient Brad Finegood, Councilmember Claudia Balducci, Councilmember Sarah Perry, Councilmember Joe McDermott, Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and Peer Washington Chief Program Officer Cody West.
Brad Finegood has been named the 2022 Recovery Champion Award recipient by the King County Council. Finegood has worked in direct service and administration in the mental health and substance use disorder populations for over two decades. Finegood, MA, LMHC, has served as co-chair of the King County Heroin and Prescription Opiate Task Force and is a Behavioral Health Strategic Advisor with Public Health of Seattle & King County.
His passion to advocate is deeply connected to his personal experience of losing his younger sibling to a substance use overdose. Due to his steadfast anti-stigma reduction work for people with substance use disorder (SUD), he along with Councilmember Dunn have declared fentanyl use as a public health crisis in King County. His advocacy has supported the expansion of the “Laced and Lethal” fentanyl overdose awareness campaign.
Laced & Lethal ❘ Learn About Fentanyl in King County (lacedandlethal.com)(379) Brad Finegood
Education about the risks of fentanyl is critical to the survival of everyone and Brad Finegood’s passion to send the message especially to King County through the Laced & Lethal website can protect people who need to know the real risks involved in its use.
Fentanyl is a Public Health Crisis
Fentanyl use and overdoses have overwhelmingly increased in our community and nationwide. What is King County doing to help with this crisis – and how can we come together as a community to help?
According to King County drug and alcohol poisoning deaths, the rise in fentanyl related deaths has increased by 167% from 2015 to 2020. Finegood has been a leader in our county in providing education through the Morning Update Show as well as various speaking venues across our county.
Public Health – Seattle & King County | Morning Update Show – YouTube Click this link: Brad Finegood speaks about protection from fentanyl overdose.
WRA Interview with Brad Finegood:
“Everyone has their own definition of recovery.” – Brad Finegood
As the recipient of the Recovery Champion Award, what does this award mean to you?
“It is wonderful to receive awards and be recognized, but the real meaning for this work is from the daily peer interactions to help the recovery movement…these are the strongest people alive.”
What is your connection to WRA?
Brad is a current board member for both the WRA and the KCRC. Brad enjoys providing support and connections for those in recovery like the Mariner’s Recovery Day which has given our community hope.
What is your professional history in the field of recovery?
Brad has worked in this field for 25 years specifically in direct patient care, outpatient care, methadone treatment, the legal justice system from prisons to and drug courts.
What are some highlights or proudest accomplishments in your career?
Brad’s response is that of a humble servant leader who focuses on his interactions with counseling folks and the brave efforts of these individuals who are dedicated to their recovery journey.
What do you want people in King County to know about recovery?
“Hope happens, recovery is possible, and everyone is beautiful.”
The Washington Recovery Alliance would like to highlight the importance of Finegood’s work and provide our readers with life-saving information. We invite your feedback about our blog posts so we can better serve our brave and resilient WRA community.
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