SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2023
1B
THE COASTLAND TIMES
2 0 2 2 In 2014, we created the Saving Lives Task Force to combat the ever-increasing problem 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. Under 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, accomplishments, opportunities and challenges going forward. 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 disorders.
We began as the Substance Abuse Prevention & Education Task Force in 2014. We hosted our first Inaugural Town Hall Event in 2015. In January of 2020, we became a 501(c)3, non-profit 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 Vice Chairman Dare County Board of Commissioners
Roxana Ballinger Director of Health Education & Outreach Services Dare County Department of Health & Human Services
Roxana Ballinger, Co-Chair Wally Overman, Co-Chair Ervin Bateman Dare County Board of Commissioners & Recovery Community Jeff Derringer Major, Dare County Sheriff’s Office John Towler Captain, Kill Devil Hills Police Department Brenda Thacker Walk Against Addiction
• Dare County Schools • Emergency Medical Services • Children & Youth Partnership • Sheriff’s Office • Local Law Enforcement • Dare County Detention Center • Trillium Health Resources • PORT Health • 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 • The Outer Banks Hospital • 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
Parris Murray Social Worker, The Outer Banks Hospital Shannon Castillo Dare County Schools Dawn Brickhouse Recovery Court & Probation Office
Trillium Health 877.685.2415
Mobile Crisis 866.437.1821
PORT 252.441.2324