Press release from Southwestern Commission:
As the opioid crisis continues to impact communities, a collective effort is underway by all seven counties in western North Carolina to generate effective solutions to the epidemic. Led by the Southwestern Commission, a series of virtual focus groups are set to gather crucial input from community members regarding the impact of opioid use, available resources, treatment options, and prevention strategies.
The focus groups, scheduled to run for 1.5 hours each on set dates from November 9 – December 18, are designed to encourage participation from a diverse range of individuals, including those directly affected by opioid use, individuals with loved ones impacted, healthcare professionals, and community advocates. The discussions will play a pivotal role in shaping recommendations for how the opioid settlement funds could best be allocated to combat the epidemic in WNC.
Southwestern Commission Executive Director Russ Harris says the multiple focus groups emphasize the importance of various perspectives to address this multifaceted issue. “Your experiences matter in shaping the solutions for our community. We encourage active participation from all individuals with insights or experiences related to the opioid crisis.”
Community members are urged to join the focus groups and share this information with their networks. “The more diverse the participation, the more comprehensive and impactful the funding recommendations and subsequent solutions will be,” Harris stated.
This collective effort is a significant step in the fight against the opioid crisis in Western North Carolina, underlining the importance of community collaboration in implementing effective strategies for change.
Interested participants can visit www.regiona.org/opioid-focus-group-sessions/ to register, or contact regional contact Tonya Snider at 828.631.0310 for questions.
(see below to include dates and times)
*Community Organizers and Collaborators have met but can join on any of the scheduled calls below:
Monday, 11/13 9:00 AM Public Health & County Leadership
Monday, 11/20 2:00 PM Law Enforcement
Monday, 11/27 2:30 PM Health Care & Medical Professionals
Thursday, 12/7 2:00 PM Schools
Wednesday, 12/13 3:00 PM Substance Use Treatment Providers
Monday, 12/18 2:00 PM People with Personal or Family Experience
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