The rise in overdoses, suicides, and other substance misuse issues has caused much concern in local communities. The Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force met at Bladen Community College on Tuesday, March 9, to report statistics, announce assistance to overcome the increase in drug misuse and overdoses, and hear hopeful testimonies.
Dr. Amanda (Mandy) Lee welcomed the group and gave personal testimony of students struggling with drug misuse.
She said, “I’ve had students who came to class high. I’ve had students in my classes that had no faith in themselves that would fail, and I would never see them again because they didn’t know how to bounce back.” She thanked the task force for their work and then gave the floor to the task force’s chairman, Charles Peterson.
Mr. Peterson explained, “It’s hard to believe that this month will mark three and a half years since this task force was formed. According to Peterson, the task force was formed on September 12, 2017.
“Even though we have been diligent and worked hard on these issues, we have a great deal of work ahead of us,” Peterson stated. “You may have seen or heard reports that one of the many negative impacts of Covid is that it has lead to the increase of substance issues and overdoses.”
Mr. Peterson announced the task force received another grant from Eastpointe, and the sums of money will be distributed between different agencies providing substance abuse assistance.
Dr. Cathy Gantz, the task force director, gave an update on the task force’s marketing efforts and Bladen County becoming a new member of the North Carolina ABC Board.
Bladen County receives 8% of the sales at the local ABC store, according to the report. The funds will go to Cape Fear Teen Challenge and Southeastern Carolina Crossroads.
Dr. Gantz announced, “Bladen County middle school and high school students have been introduced to a program that is funded totally by the ABC board, and it’s titled, Talk it Out, Bladen.” She added, “They are looking into a program for the elementary schools as well.”
In closing, Dr. Gantz noted after the JCPC developed a community assessment and made a recommendation based on community needs. The group’s findings were that Bladen County Schools needed to offer a gang reporting form for students and parents and a bullying and harassment form. The reporting methods should be anonymous and available in written form, and followed up on within 24 hours.
After that, Ms. Kimberly Esters with Bladen County Schools said she wanted to talk about a program the Bladen County Schools offers students and parents.
She said, “Our students have been trained, but I thought it was important that parents know they can report anonymously as well. The system allows youth and adults to submit anonymous information securely.” Information about threatening behavior such as bullying, suicidal thoughts, gangs may be submitted at www.saysomething.net or 1-844-5SAYNOW.
Rev. David Foster, Associational Missionary for the Bladen Baptist Association, addressed the group as well. He informed the group drug abuse doesn’t just affect those using drugs. Then he explained, an 11-year-old girl in Bladen County killed herself recently. Her mother was a substance abuser.
Listen to the presentation on our YouTube Channel linked below.
He urged the churches to get involved. “We want to do our best to reach out to those individuals and families who are struggling with substance use before it gets to that point.”
Rev. Foster continued, “All of our churches have been too self-focus, and we need to go out into the communities. When we go out and see them, then we will have compassion and help them their needs.”
He noted Matthew Chapter 9. He said, “Jesus went, and he saw, and Jesus had compassion.”
Covid has caused isolation, and isolation in its self causes many problems, and that’s one of the reasons for the rise in substance abuse,” Rev. Foster pleaded with the group, “But we have got to go! God has given us a responsibility to invest in the lives around us. We have got to work together.”
Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan spoke about grants the Bladen County officials are working toward obtaining. The grants will provide evidence-based programs for Bladen County.
The local health department will partner with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Elizabethtown Police Department on March 27, 2021, for a medication drop-off event at Anderson’s Drug on South Poplar Street in Elizabethtown from 10 am until 2 pm. Currently, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and Elizabethtown Police Department have medication drop boxes located at their facilities.
Then Bladen County EMS Director David Howell gave statistics on the rise of substance misuse in the county. In 2020, there were 75 calls through EMS dispatch about suspected drug overdoses, 73 were transported, which is a 29% increase compared to 2019, Mr. Howell stated. He added, Bladen County EMS administered 83 doses of Narcan, Bladenboro EMS administered 11 doses, and Elizabethtown EMS administered eight doses. Narcan is a drug given to help prevent a fatal drug overdose.
Mr. Howell said, “If you average it up, that’s about seven doses a month. I looked at the numbers for January and February, and we are right on track for that same average unless something changes.”
Mr. Howell also gave an update on the Community Paramedic duties and the SAMHSA grant.
Pastor Jason Williams and Robert Villegas spoke about the program known as Celebrate Recovery offered in Bladen County. Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step program centered around a faith-based curriculum to help with any addiction in life. Celebrate Recovery is being provided by Foundation Church the first Friday of every month at 6:30 pm, and Windsor United Methodist Church near Ammon provides Celebrate Recovery every Sunday.
Foundation Church is located at 909 S Poplar Street in Elizabethtown, NC. Windsor United Methodist Church is located at 12863 NC-242, Elizabethtown, NC.
Pastor Williams also mentioned Dreamworks in Elizabethtown also offers counseling services.
Elizabethtown Baptist Church Pastor Rudy Ramphal spoke about the local church offering a grief support group. Pastor Ramphal has a mental health background and serves as the grief support group facilitator.
He said, “Sometimes I just sit and watch as they help each other.” Anyone interested in the group is asked to contact Elizabethtown Baptist Church. The church is located at 1800 W Broad Street in Elizabethtown, NC.
Mr. Peterson also noted Open Door Ministries in Elizabethtown is the host site for Alcoholics Anonymous. The group meets every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 5:30 pm. 2704 E Broad Street in Elizabethtown, NC.
Bladen County Sheriff’s Office has a Community Impact Team made up of two deputies that started in August of 2020, making arrests related to substance misuse. Since then, the two law enforcement officers have made hundreds of drug felony and misdemeanor arrests.
Before the task force meeting was concluded, some citizens stood and gave testimonies and input on the fight against substance misuse.
Watch the testimonies on YouTube Channel linked below.
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