The Kent County YMCA and the Anchor Community Recovery Center will host a special screening of the movie “The Anonymous People,” a feature-length documentary highlighting the 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, on April 12 at 7 p.m. at the Kent County Y at 900 Centerville Road, Warwick. 

According to the website SoberPursuit.com, it is estimated that in the state of Rhode Island there will be around 4,931 DUIs, and 58 deaths due to intoxicated driving this year. Statistics also show that there will be 298 deaths related to alcohol abuse, 1,532 tobacco-related deaths, and 59 deaths due to illicit drug use. Additionally, it is believed that there are around 51,520 marijuana users, 8,442 cocaine addicts, and 478 heroin addicts living in Rhode Island. Additionally, there are 22,561 people abusing prescription drugs, 2,152 people that use inhalants, and 3,831 people who use hallucinogens. In Rhode Island, there will be around 6,503 people arrested this year on drug-related charges. 

“Those are frightening statistics,” says Paula Jacobson, executive director of the Kent County YMCA, “this movie is a very powerful and inspiring look at the strength of individuals and families struggling with addiction and moving away from the tradition of anonymity.” 

The filmmaker Greg Williams says, “There’s a decent chance that someone in your life has the disease of addiction. Maybe that person is a member of your family, your best friend or a close work colleague. If you are lucky, maybe he or she is one of the approximately 23.5 million Americans in recovery today.  Moving from the negative perception of addiction to the celebration of recovery is a long road, but one well worth traveling.” 

The goal of the movie is to not just inspire, but also shift how everyone responds to addiction. The movie speaks to the importance of being open about the disease of addiction. 

For more information and to register – there is no charge – call the Kent County YMCA at 828-0130.