Local experts address opioid disorders
Published 6:52 pm Friday, March 23, 2018
With 175 people dying everyday, opioid abuse is a national crisis.
Locally, the Golden Triangle has its own problems with opioids, especially since Port Arthur is a seaport town with people traveling through from different parts of the country and from overseas. Furthermore, Interstate 10 is known as a drug corridor.
Accordingly, representatives from the South East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Gulf Coast Health Center, Spindletop Inc. and Landmanor held an opioid conference on Friday morning at the Willie Carter Center in Port Arthur to plan for a town hall meeting from 5:30–8:30 p.m. April 19 at the West Side Development Center, 601 W. Rev. Dr. Ransom Howard St. in Port Arthur.
The different organizations that treat opioid disorders are coming together as a community coalition.
Their goals are to:
- Make the community aware of services available to treat opioid disorders.
- Increase referrals for all the programs.
- Ensure continuity of services.
- Remove barriers for opioid users so they can be admitted to programs.
- Increase the knowledge and awareness of opioid use and recovery.
- Ensure long-term assistance for opioid usage.
- Remove the stigma surrounding recovering addicts’ use of Suboxone or other medical assisted therapies.
The organizations have approximately $1 million through state and federal funds for treatment.
Willie “Bae” Lewis Jr., District 5 City Councilman, said he attended a National League of Cities conference and opioids were on the front burner. Consequently, special seminars were set up.
The plan is to connect frontline workers with substance experts to let people know about the services out there and access to those services.
Those who are interested may contact Rita Simmons, critical care coordinator with SETCADA at 409-444-6828.