The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is holding an “Opioid Summit” on Friday inside the sanctuary of Jasper First Methodist Church.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will be led by Carl Carpenter, an investigator with the WCSO. The forum is designed to inform local pastors, lay ministers and the general public on the opioid epidemic and ways to help combat the issue.
“I’ve seen when people get booked into jail most times they give some religious affiliation when asked,” Carpenter said. “Churches are one of the first external influences people have in their lives as they grow up. When loved ones become concerned with substance use disorder (SUD), they turn to pastors for assistance. We hope to provide pastors information to help them direct these families and sufferers of SUD to get treatment and help.”
The event
Carpenter said the opioid summit should last an hour to an hour and a half. He said workers in the recovery community will also be on hand to meet ministers. Narcan, a drug used to combat overdosed, will also be given to pastors to take back to their churches in case it is ever needed.
“By providing some basic information about SUD, introduce them to members of the recovery community, places to reach out to in the recovery community and provide them the opportunity to grab a Narcan to take back to their church, we hope to add a direction to save lives,” Carpenter said.
is it possible for a citizen in the community to attend this meeting ? I am closely tied to many who know me n my past that are dying out there in the immediate surrounding communities that need the help you talk about. I would like to take back the knowledge of the dangerous drugs that are being spread out. I want to help. as a overcome of my own addiction, folks of like mind, need to share the info n maybe save the lives of my past associates from an eventual sure death. please respond.