The coronavirus is not the only Bladen County Health priority. According to the Bladen County State of the County Report, local health priorities are Chronic Disease, Substance Abuse (Tobacco/Vapor Products, Alcohol, Prescription Drug Abuse), Obesity (Nutrition Education, Physical Activity), and Teenage Pregnancy (New & Emerging Issue).
The Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force is committed to reducing the effects and stigma of substance misuse. Dr. Cathy Gantz, Director of the task force, gave an update on the organization’s progress.
There are now four support and self-help groups offered in Bladen County to help prevent and overcome substance misuse. Foundation Church and Windsor United Methodist Church offer Celebrate recovery, Open Door Ministries offers Alcoholics Anonymous, and Elizabethtown Baptist Church has started a Grief Group.
Bladen County Commissioner and chairperson of the task force, Charles Peterson, explained that the task force has also applied for grant funding. The organization hopes to receive funding to help support local initiatives like Southeastern Carolina Cross Roads, Cape Fear Teen Challenge, and the support groups.
The task force has a scheduled meeting open to the public at Bladen Community College to offer enough room for COVID-19 safety precautions. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.
“We planned the meeting in the evening in hopes to gain more participation from citizens who may not be able to attend a meeting during the day,” Dr. Gantz stated.
Cape Fear Teen Challenge, Southeastern Carolina Crossroads, and the Tri-County Drug Task Force are all scheduled to give presentations during the meeting. There will also be parent testimonials.
Bladen Community College is located at 7418 NC Hwy 41 W in Dublin, North Carolina.
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