DOVER, NH – Miss Dover, Anna Sargent, donated self-care holiday stockings to perinatal patients seeking treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital on Tuesday.

The donation is personal for Sargent, a nursing student and proud employee of the hospital, because her mother lives with alcohol use disorder and is in long term recovery.

“I cannot imagine how different her story would have been had she not had the resources and support systems that she did for recovery. That is why I am so passionate about serving our communities with substance use disorder,” she said.

The stockings included items like pre-paid cell phones, gas cards, and ride sharing gift cards – essential items for families that provide them with rides to medical appointments, connection to treatment, pediatric appointments, and access to food. The phones also provide safety for patients in intimate partner violence situations or with other personal safety concerns.

“Stigma and multiple barriers continue to prevent the perinatal population from accessing SUD recovery services, prenatal care, education, and other community resources and tools,” said Lindsay Ginter, a women’s health case manager at Wentworth-Douglass. “It is crucial that the Seacoast is cognizant of how everyone has been impacted by substance use disorder in some way and the positive impact the community can have on those battling this disease.”

The “WDH STRENGTH” team (Supporting Treatment, Recovery, Education, Newborn care, Growth to Transition Home) offers the perinatal population case management services for connection to social determinants of health resources, clinical coordination for clinical education, and education on risks and harm reduction practices. The team also provides assistance with initiation of Medication for Opioid Use disorder (MOUD), social work services for emotional support, and access to other resources and community services in the postpartum period. The program caught the attention of the White House last year.

“With my public platform, I hope to raise awareness about the need for recovery resources and support in the Greater Dover area and encourage others to do the same,” Sargent said.