'Never Give Up the Moment Before the Miracle'

October 7, 2022

Walking with community activist Rosalind Pichardo through the streets of Philadelphia.

Riding along with police officer Josh De La Rosa in Boston.

Sprinting off the field with pro football player Darren Walter.

At a community premiere of the film “Tipping The Pain Scale” in Wilmington, Delaware, audience members followed the journey of substance use disorder through the eyes of Pichardo, De La Rosa, Walter and others around the U.S.

If you or a loved one has an addiction, click here to learn about ChristianaCare’s services for substance use disorder.

The award-winning documentary spotlights individuals grappling with substance use disorder in their lives and communities and their efforts toward innovative solutions that can save lives.

The event was hosted by ChristianaCare’s Office of Health Equity at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in September.

Representatives from ChristianaCare and community organizations that fight substance use disorder offered their services to people seeking to break the addiction cycle.

From left to right: Glorivee Rodriguez, Mishai Pendleton, Johanna Rodriguez, Taylor Sewell and David Nichols of ChristianaCare Community Health were among the resource teams offering services at the film screening event.

“There is not one person who hasn’t been affected by substance use disorder in some way,” said Erin Booker, LPC, vice president of Behavioral Health and Social Care Integration at ChristianaCare, at a discussion following the screening. “It is a community issue.”

Pichardo, founder of Operation Save Our City, joined a post-event Q&A. “This work is heavy,” she said, acknowledging the health care professionals and community advocates in the audience. “This is immense trauma we are seeing on a daily basis. Self-care is so important. It’s OK to check on one another.”

Rosalind Pichardo reads from her journal to remember “those who I administered Narcan to who made it and those I administered Narcan to who did not make it.” Trained in the opioid overdose treatment, Pichardo has administered naloxone (Narcan) to 900 people in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

For community members who wish to help, it’s good to start small, she said. “Make some peanut butter and jellies, collect some socks … every person in this room has the ability to make a difference.”

The film, said one audience member, “is an eye-opener that I wish the whole world could see.”

“Tipping the Pain Scale” is available on streaming platforms and for school, organization and community screenings.