News release from Buncombe County:
According to data presented at the Sept. 19, 2023 Board of Commissioners briefing by Dr. Shuchin Shukla, fatal overdoses among Black Buncombe residents grew by 566% between 2015 and 2020. While overdoses for white members of our community account for the majority of overdoses, the rate at which Black Buncombe residents are dying from opioid and polysubstance use is growing a much faster rate. To address the rising Opioid Crisis in WNC, the Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sororities Incorporated along with Buncombe County Government will host a community conversation focused on education and removing the stigma of substance use disorder on March 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Participants can look forward to presentations from local medical experts, panel discussion with those with lived experiences, and training on overdose interventions.
Lunch will be provided. Free parking will be available in the Coxe Avenue Parking deck – just bring your parking ticket in with you to be validated. Please RSVP by March 12, 2024.
Drugs and opioids impact us all. The more we remove the silence from opioid overdose, the more we can do to work together to confront this tragic issue that has touched all of our lives.
WHAT: Opioids in the Black Community: Removing the Silence Event
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16
WHERE: 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: RSVP here by March 12, 2024
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