A series of community conversations has shed some light upon substance abuse and that effort is ongoing. The next installment in the series is Monday, Nov. 13 at All Saints Catholic Church. Professionals will gather in the social hall of the church, eager to address members of the community. The focus, said Organizer Ellen Condron, is “Community Solutions and Stigma Reduction.”

 

“We are trying to bring awareness to the progress our county has made during the past 18 months in fighting the opioid/heroin epidemic,” she said.

 

Speakers addressing that topic include Director of Drug Control Policy for West Virginia Jim Johnson, who will speak about the state of the opioid/heroin epidemic across the state and thereafter open the floor for questions.

 

Highland Hospital CEO Mike Casdorph will speak about the progress the hospital has made with regard to addiction treatment for adolescents and adults.  Director of United Summit Center Lisa Price will talk about addiction treatment and programs provided by the facility and Whitney Oliverio will speak about Josie's Hope, the new center for women who have substance use disorder during pregnancy.

 

The other focus of the Community Conversation is Stigma Reduction. Jo Anne McNemar will speak about the efforts of the Harrison County Prevention Partnership in reducing the stigma of mental illness and addiction.

 

Condron is in the process of distributing anti-stigma green bows throughout the county, delivering them to businesses, churches and homes to display in support of those who need treatment for mental illness and addiction. The bows will be available at the Nov. 13 meeting.

 

Those individuals and others will speak between 6 and 8 p.m. Also scheduled are Daniel Mavromatis, group supervisor of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny; Harrison County Health Department Administrator Chad Bundy and Ann Hammond, West Virginia Helpline, Peer Support and Director of Recovery, Home for Women.

 

Prior to the 6 p.m. start, community members are invited and encouraged to gather for networking and refreshments at 5:30 p.m. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured are Ellen Condron and Sheriff Robert Matheny speaking at a past Community Conversation.