INSIDE TODAY
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TALLASSEE PLAYS FOR YOUTH TITLE
Southside Middle School honors veterans PAGE B6 INSIDE:
The most extensive high school sports coverage in the region LOCAL FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS, PAGE 2.
The Tallassee Tribune DEDICATED TO THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE GREATER TALLASSEE AREA
TALLASSEE, AL 36078
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November 14, 2018
TALLASSEETRIBUNE.COM
VOL. 119, NO. 46
‘Addiction is not a choice’ Alabama, Elmore County facing meth, opioid crisis
By AMALIA KORTRIGHT Staff Writer
Addiction is no stranger to Alabama, especially to the thousands of people who struggle with addictions to two of the state’s most common types of drugs: opioids and methamphetamines. During a 2013-2014 study by the U.S.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services administration, more than 100,000 people over the age of 12 were reportedly abusing or depending on illicit drugs in Alabama. But despite some common misconceptions, addiction is not a choice or the result of character weakness. Alabama Department of Mental Health See ADDICTION • Page A6
DID YOU KNOW? Alabama has the highest drug prescription rate in the country. It is almost twofold greater than the average U.S. rate of 79. See more addiction facts on Page A6.
Woman talks opioids and how local facility helps women overcome addiction, abuse By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
R
ecently, it was a big day for Jennifer Bice. Her parental rights were reinstated through Alabama’s Department of Human Resources after her children were placed in a foster home due to her substance abuse. “It’s been 19 months. It was supposed to be December but we don’t have to wait that long,” Bice said with a smile. “I’m so happy. I am also nervous, but I know God hasn’t brought me this far to let me go now.” While this isn’t the first reunification for the family after a stay in foster care, Bice says it will be the last. “This is the second time that I lost them. The first time was in 2016. Then in March of 2017, I lost the kids to See OVERCOME • Page A8
Small Business Saturday set for Nov. 24 By CARMEN RODGERS Staff Writer
Once the Thanksgiving leftovers have been put away, many people set their sights on Christmas and fulfilling the holiday wish list. This means many will head to the shopping malls or perhaps shop online. However, the Tallassee Chamber of Commerce reminds everyone to shop local on Nov. 24, which is the upcoming small business Saturday. First observed on Nov. 27,
Carmen Rodgers / The Tribune
Tallassee Chamber of Commerce’s Kat Raiford and Laurie Rygiel remind residents to “Shop Tallassee First” this Small Business Saturday, which is scheduled for Nov. 24.
2010, Small Business Saturday is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. With big college rivalry games scheduled for this same day, football has put a damper on Small Business Saturday in recent years. This year, college rivals Auburn and Alabama See BUSINESS • Page A3
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