According to samhsa.gov, The 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data showed that nearly 21.7 million people the age of 12 years old or older needed substance use treatment with in the past year. Substance abuse use is a particular impairment of an individual using alcohol or illicit drugs, and in some cases, the individual uses both substances. The use of the substance causes health issues, disabilities, lack of responsibilities within a workforce, home, or in school. The substance abuse use has interrupted their lives putting them more at risk for negative outcomes such as chronic health conditions. 

Shepherd’s Shelter is an all-male rehab treatment center located in Mt. Sterling, KY. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programming had to be changed and conducted online for everyone’s safety. The SNAP-Ed Program Assistant in Montgomery County has been providing weekly programming online to Shepherd’s Shelter since May 2020 with an average of 20 males weekly. The SNAP-Ed Programming also provided information and material on growing a garden at Shepherd’s Shelter. The guys took on the responsibility of planting the garden full of fruits and vegetables and maintaining the plants to yield produce. The guys would learn from the SNAP-Ed weekly program, the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables into their daily meals to follow MyPlate recommendations for their individual calorie intake. 

Since SNAP-Ed Programming online, the guys at Shepherd’s Shelter are enjoying fresh strawberries, lettuce, and onions. The other garden produce is still developing. Twelve guys completed all seven required programming lessons. Of the twelve guys, seven showed improvement in one or more diet quality of eating fruits, vegetables, red and orange vegetables, dark green vegetables, drink less regular soda, drink less fruit punch, teas and etc. Six of the twelve had improvement with physical activity.  Growing a garden can help with budgeting, reducing salt and sugar in the daily diet, eating lower calories, get outdoor exercise, increase vitamin D, and be a natural stress reliever. The guys at Shepherd’s Shelter will be able to continue to make changes to improve their overall health. They will be able to take their knowledge gained from the SNAP-Ed program back into their individual homes once leaving the recovery center.