Danger continues to lurk inside many medicine cabinets across the United States, and the growing availability of medications is contributing to the epidemic of abuse and overdoses.
The Sampson County Substance Abuse Coalition, in an effort to combat this growing problem, is hosting a community-wide drug summit Saturday, April 29, from 1-4 p.m.
“The purpose of the summit is to prevent addiction by providing education to the public about consequences of substance abuse and support to those facing addiction by providing information about the availability of Naloxone,” B.G. Kennedy, coalition member said.
According to Kennedy, the summit will provide information about substance abuse prevention, services that are available to those dealing with addiction and the hope of recovery.
“The goal of the coalition is to provide education about the dangers of addiction and support to families of those dealing with addiction,” Kennedy explained.
Not only is Sampson County among the counties with the highest number of drug-related deaths, but it is surrounded by some of the worst cities in America for opioid abuse, according to data gathered from research on employer-based insurance. Its central location to these cities bring more drugs into Sampson County, increasing the likelihood of drug abuse and overdose deaths.
Listed among the top 25 cities for opioid abuse are Wilmington, Jacksonville and Fayetteville — all within an hour and a half drive from Sampson.
As part of the summit, Wanda Robinson and the Sampson County Health Department will provide information and education about Naloxone, also known as Narcan, a safe and effective drug used to reverse the effects of an overdose of opioid medication. The life-saving drug is available at Walgreens and the health department is now offering free rescue kits.
“When you see the statistics, it makes you want to get it out there,” Robinson explained.
Signs of an overdose are slow to no breathing, slow or no pulse, blue or gray skin, blue or purple fingertips and lips and the person is unresponsive. Health care officials urge anyone who encounters someone experiencing an overdose to immediately administer Naloxone and call for emergency assistance.
“You, your family members or caregivers should know more about ways to prepare, act and respond to an opioid overdose in the event an emergency occurs,” Robinson said.
The Clinton Police Department will provide information about what they are doing to serve families facing crisis situations due to substance abuse.
The department has placed a permanent medication disposal box at the station that is available 24 hours a day for the public to properly dispose of their unused medication.
In conjunction with the summit, Donald Edwards from the police department, Robinson and Luke Smith from the health department, have organized Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Friday, April 28, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Clinton Drug Company.
Having the medication drop box and hosting days like the prescription take back increasingly allows the expired and unused medicines to be properly disposed of and kept from the hands of someone who could possibly overdose.
As time permits, Courtney Boyette with Eastpointe, will provide excerpts from the documentary, “The Anonymous People,” a documentary about substance abuse and recovery.
The summit will be held at Sampson Community College.
