Second community forum on substance abuse will be Oct. 4

The second annual Community Forum on Substance Abuse Prevention and Education is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4, and is an opportunity for residents to come together to learn about substance abuse issues in Dare County, become familiar with local resources currently available to help those in need, and get involved by learning how to become part of the solution.

Scheduled to take place at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the forum features keynote speaker Kurtis Taylor, outreach worker and re-entry coordinator for Oxford Houses of N.C., a clean and sober housing option for individuals in recovery. Attendees will choose three breakout sessions on topics ranging from recovery, treatment, prescriptions, pain management, youth and parenting.

Wally Overman, vice-chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners and chairman of the Dare County Substance Abuse Prevention and Education Task Force is a strong advocate for bringing the community together to address substance abuse issues.

“It is critical that we have an ongoing relationship and dialogue with community partners and residents to effectively deal with the issues. It takes many different people and organizations working together toward the common goal of preventing and reducing substance abuse,” he said, “And this forum provides that opportunity.”

The forum is sponsored by local groups that currently serve as part of the Dare County Substance Abuse Prevention and Education Task Force, including the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (Peer Power), Dare Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA), Port Human Services, Recovery International, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, Trillium Health Resources, Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County, College of the Albemarle, Dare County Schools, the Outer Banks Hospital, and CVS Health.

Information about substance abuse resources and services currently available in Dare County will be available during the event.

Residents of all ages and from all areas of the county are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be offered and there is no charge. Please RSVP by Sept. 28 by calling 252-441-0614 or emailing cypobx@darekids.org.