By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Opioid Task Force met on Tuesday afternoon and began making plans how to combat the abuse of opioids in our communities.
The group has scheduled an interest meeting for a parents support group. The parents support group is for parents or grandparents who have children or grandchildren struggling with addiction. The support will be a place where they can find support, understanding and resources for themselves and their families. The interest meeting is planned for Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, at 6 p.m. at the Bladen County Public Library.
Also, the group learned there is funding from a CURES grant that can be utilized to purchase two permanent drop boxes for Bladen County. The grant will also pay for such things as provider training.
There will also be a Crisis Intervention Training Session to take place Nov. 27 through Dec.1 at the Bladen County Training Center at White Lake.
“This is Mental Health First Aid and is open to anyone and everyone,” said Cheryl Harris with Eastpointe MCO.
Harris also updated the group about the Red Ribbon Week activities. She said Eastpointe MCO spoke to classes and provided pencils, red ribbons and silicone bracelets to students during the campaign.
It was also discussed to incorporate the GREAT program training in the 8th grade classes.
“We are moving forward with going into the schools,” said Richard Allen with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office. He discussed having various speakers to come in and share their stories with the students.
The next meeting of the Bladen County Opioid Task Force is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9th, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the Bladen County Health Department.
About Author
