SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2026
1B
THE COASTLAND TIMES
2 0 2 5 In 2014, we created the Saving Lives Task Force to combat the ever-increasing problems associated with substance use disorder and addiction. In 2020, we became recognized as a 501(c) 3. The task force is always open to the public for anyone who wants to participate, learn or just listen. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Dare County Administration Building at 2 p.m. This past year, we worked as a team to follow our strategic plan that aligns with North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan and prioritize the use of Dare County’s Opioid Settlement funds. This will help us stay focused on the most impactful and feasible strategies to reduce substance use in Dare County. As part of our strategic plan, the task force’s work focuses on five main areas: assess, prevent, reduce harm, connect to care, and track & measure. In this supplement, you will find a succinct presentation on the progress of our strategic plan, which includes our strategies, achievements, opportunities, future challenges and the accomplishments of our community partners. You will also find pertinent data relative to Dare County, as well as what you can do to help.
The Saving Lives Task Force is a team of professionals and community members working toward the prevention of substance use disorders; increasing access and the availability of effective treatment for all in need of help; and raising public awareness regarding issues related to substance use disorder.
We began as the Substance Abuse Prevention & Education Task Force in 2014. We hosted our Inaugural Town Hall Event in 2015 and in December of 2020, we became a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
Thank you for your interest. Your Saving Lives Task Force Co-Chairs,
We have over 200 participants serving on the task force, representing groups including:
Wally Overman Co-Chair Saving Lives Task Force
Katy Haslar Human Services Program Coordinator Dare County Department of Health & Human Services Co-Chair, Saving Lives Task Force
Katy Haslar, Co-Chair Wally Overman, Co-Chair Ervin Bateman Dare County Board of Commissioners & Recovery Community Jeff Deringer Major Deputy, Dare County Sheriff’s Office Julie Haner Lieutenant, Kill Devil Hills Police Department Brenda Thacker Walk Against Addiction Paris Murray Social Worker, Outer Banks Health
• Dare County Schools • Emergency Medical Services • Children & Youth Partnership • Sheriff’s Office • Local Law Enforcement • Dare County Detention Center • Trillium Health Resources • Nags Head Treatment Center • Surfside Wellness & Treatment Center • SMART Recovery • Nar-Anon • College of the Albemarle • Dare County Dept. of Health & Human Services • Dare County Board of Commissioners • Outer Banks Health • CVS Health • Walgreens • Crossroads OBX • Private providers/counselors • Walk Against Addiction • Local Churches • Community Members • Recovery Community • Recovery & Overdose Support Services • Be Resilient OBX • Recovery Court • Dare Challenge • NAMI OBX
Kim Hardman Director of Case Management & Patient Experience, Outer Banks Health Shannon Castillo Director of Administrative Services, Dare County Schools Dawn Brickhouse Recovery Court & Probation Office Shari Fiveash Executive Director, OBX Room in the Inn
Trillium Health 877.685.2415
Mobile Crisis 866.437.1821
ROSS Program 252.473.7923