By Erin Smith
Deputy Hewett said the Anchor Initiative was launched in November, and has had 70 individuals utilize the program.
“If they truly want help, they will get it,” said Deputy Hewett.
She explained the program is not a jail diversion program, and is not designed to help anyone to get out of jail or to help them with their sentence. Deputy Hewett said in order for the Anchor Initiative to assist someone, they must come to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and request help. Deputy Hewett said in order to participate in the Anchor Initiative the individual cannot have any criminal charges filed against them.
“We are trying to stop it (addiction) before they get to the point of being arrested,” said Deputy Hewett.
When asked about funding for the program, Deputy Hewett said funding comes from businesses and local people who want to help others. She said the Anchor Initiative also has developed partnerships with Novant hospital in Brunswick County, and with the Brunswick Electric Cooperative. She stressed the importance of forming partnerships with the different treatment centers throughout North Carolina, in order to secure a bed for someone when they are ready to receive treatment.
Deputy Hewett said partnerships in the community help both with funding and with locating volunteers. Volunteers 
assist the Anchor Initiative with such things as transporting someone to get treatment as well as offering a support network to those already in treatment.
Deputy Hewett said addiction doesn’t just affect the addict; it affects the entire family and friends. She said the stigma of addiction is horrible. Deputy Hewett reported Judge Ola Lewis inspired the creation of the group Back Off in Brunswick County which offers support to women who have lost a loved one due to overdose-related deaths.
In addition to the Brunswick County chapter, there is another chapter in Greenville, South Carolina.
Richard Allen with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office said there will be plenty of work to do to set up a similar program in Bladen County
The Bladen County Opioid Task Force was the recipient of a $50,000 grant from Eastpointe MCO, to create a jail diversion program. Deputy Allen said a Celebrate Recovery chapter has been established at the Bladen County Detention Center but recently no one new has come forward to join the program.
Bladen County Commissioner, Charles Ray Peterson, said Eastpointe MCO has given the county some leeway in the use of the funds and a program such as the Anchor Initiative would be allowed.
The consensus of the Bladen County Opioid Task Force was to move forward with the creation of an Anchor Initiative program in Bladen County.
Deputy Allen updated the Task Force regarding two separate calls he received recently from two families seeking help for their child who is battling addiction. He said the family had to involuntarily commit their child but the child was released after 24 hours.
“There is nothing I can do for them (to assist the family),” said Deputy Allen.
The Task Force was also updated that an information booth will be set up at the Back to School Bash at the Cape Fear Farmers Market in Elizabethtown on Saturday.
The Task Force was updated regarding the Faith Based Brunch which was held in July at Bladen Community College. Plans are underway to ask Bladen County churches to consider hosting an Opioid Sunday at their church during September. September is Overdose Awareness Month. The Task Force plans to present a resolution to the Bladen County Board of Commissioners seeking support of the Opioid Sunday.
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