State officials are continuing their fight against opioid abuse, and representatives from the faith-based world have an opportunity next week to get prepared with the necessary tools to help.
Insight Alliance and other prevention coalitions across the area are gearing up for the fifth regional Tennessee Faith Based Recovery Network meeting, scheduled to take place Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 4:30 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church in Johnson City.
Tuesday’s meeting will be similar to last year’s meeting held in Carter County, according to Lifeline Recovery Coordinator Jason Abernathy, who works alongside Insight Alliance and has helped organize the event.
“This will be very similar to last year’s event,” Abernathy told the Elizabethton Star Friday. “The state offered tools and resources to churches to assist with those battling with addiction. We have an opioid epidemic that goes statewide and has heavily impacted our region. Most of the time, we see people that will go to a church to receive help. Some already offer services, but this gives faith-based organizations a chance to receive free resources from the state to help with individuals.”
Churches and organizations have the ability to be certified as a “Faith Based Recovery Network” member by the state, free of charge, and receive training and resources to help in situations with those battling with addiction.
Jilian Reece, Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, has also assisted with the event and noted that the ability to offer this resource locally can be vital in helping individuals battling with substance or drug abuse.
“This is a problem that affects all sectors of life,” she said. “We’re hoping people have a chance to come by the event and learn more about what’s going and about the resources that are available.”
Reece added “several” churches and faith-based groups from Carter County and Elizabethton have joined the network and encouraged others looking to help to attend the event.
Registration for the event is encouraged, according to Abernathy. Residents can visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faith-based-recovery-network-meeting-january-9th-registration-41245622768?aff=efbneb online or call (877) 366-7593 to sign-up for the meeting. The event is free and open to the public with a light supper to be provided. Abernathy added that the meeting would be rescheduled if inclement weather becomes an issue.
“If Johnson City Schools are closed, we will postpone,” he said.
Locally, CCDP have implemented different programs in place to assist with drug prevention while the county has seen different outlets open up, including Recovery Soldiers Ministries and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court.
Visit https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/faith-based-initiatives.html online to learn more about the state’s efforts to utilize faith-based organizations to assist with combatting drug and substance abuse.