About The Presentation

In this two part presentation, Ann will address current trends and issues in the substance abuse landscape, from exciting information, like new medication assisted therapies for addiction and earlier prevention/intervention in the primary care world, to the less exciting issues of the skyrocketing abuse of prescription drugs, and the impact of medical and recreational marijuana in our local community.

Rick is in personal recovery and brings his awareness of substance use issues to the pulpit and to his pastoral relationships. He will talk about addressing addiction and substance abuse issues with people with substance issues, and their family and friends.  He will share about his experience in dealing with these issues in the context of the faith community.

About the Presenters

Ann C. Noonan, MA, CAC III, LPC, has over 30 years professional experience working in the field of substance abuse and mental health, most of it right here in Boulder County. She is currently the Program Development Director for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Integration at Mental Health Partners. Ann is in personal recovery from addictions and mental health issues.

Ann has worked to facilitate the integration of mental health and substance abuse issues within the context of treating the whole person, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Her professional experience has been in both residential and outpatient settings, treating adolescents, adults, women’s only programming, dual diagnosis, and substance-abuse-specific issues. Most recently she was a key player in managing the full integration of the Boulder County Addiction Recovery Centers (ARC) with Mental Health Partners, and continues to focus on the opportunities and challenges that have accompanied this much needed partnership.

In addition to her day job, Ann is active in the LGBTQ social justice movement, and is currently serving as the President of the Out Boulder Board of Directors. She is the 2014 recipient of the PFLAG Activist of the Year award.

Senior Minister Rick King has served at First Congregational UCC-Longmont since 2008. He and his wife, Linda and their three boys Elijah, Samuel and Gabriel moved to Longmont from Winona, Minnesota where Pastor Rick served the First Congregational Church of Winona for ten years.

Pastor Rick was ordained as an authorized minister in the United Church of Christ in 1990 after attending Mount Union College and Yale Divinity School. Since his ordination, Rick has served churches as a settled and an interim pastor in the Chicagoland area. He has also taught English to high-schoolers, been a technical writer, worked with homeless youth with The Night Ministry in Chicago, and practiced for four years as a massage therapist.

Pastor Rick’s passion in ministry is caring for the people of God as a teacher, preacher, pastoral care provider, and community leader. He was recognized in 2011 by Boulder County Public Health for his contributions to the Saint Vrain Valley Safe Schools Coalition, in 2013 by PFLAG Boulder County as a faith leader and ally to the LGBT community, and he received a Governor’s Service Award in 2014 for his leadership in coordinating volunteers following the 2013 St. Vrain River flooding.

Additional Resources