Roanoke community organizations developing strategies to fight the current opioid crisis
ROANOKE, Va. – Community groups in Roanoke are putting their heads together to develop solutions and strategies to the opioid crisis that is raging across the Valley.
As the number of deaths caused by overdoses continues to grow, groups such as the Council of Community Services Drop In Center North are increasing the number of people they reach out to. The manager of the center’s harm reduction program stressed that the main goal is to keep people safe from fentanyl, which has very dangerous effects.
Fentanyl testing strips, Narcan, and education programs are some of the center’s harm reduction techniques.
An alternative approach that may show results in Roanoke is the establishment of a system of peer specialists dedicated to assisting addicts in their search for recovery. Peer specialists are members of the community who have successfully recovered from their own addiction and are now trained to assist others who are in need of assistance.
In an effort to put a stop to the growing opioid epidemic, Roanoke Valley’s Collective Response is getting ready to put peer experts to work. Peer recovery specialists will work with first responders in Roanoke over the next few months. This is made possible by a $1.4 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).
Those who are seeking help and resources are encouraged to contact the national help hotline offered by SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357.
