Various programs and ideas are on the horizon for the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition this year.
The months have been busy, but exciting for CCDP Director Jennifer Miller, MA, LPC-MHSP, MPA. Since starting at her post in September, the program has worked toward growing the operations within the county, especially working with the youth.
To start off 2017, the CCDP is hosting a Carter County Teen Hang Out the first Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the CCDP Youth Opportunity Center located on 546 East Elk Ave. in Historic Downtown Elizabethton.
The event is held in conjunction with Carter County Health Department tobacco education and will include county FACT Summit students that have been on the forefront of encouraging their peers to not attempt any tobacco products. Free snacks, music and games will be offered throughout the evening.
While the program had to postpone their January “hang out” due to inclement weather, Miller added excitement is in abundance for the event, noting organizations coming together for events like this is the purpose of a coalition.
“It has been incredible,” Miller told the STAR about the feedback from the public. “This is what coalitions are all about … coming together for the common goal of helping the community.”
The “hang out” is just one of the multiple programs CCDP is looking at implementing throughout the year.
Miller added CCDP is in the phases of adopting the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services faith-based initiatives to provide assist to community members.
The director cited various programs receiving success in surrounding counties, including Washington County, and that Carter County is gearing up for their own event in March – with other details expected to be announced in the coming months.
According to department’s website, the Division of Substance Abuse Services is “actively engaging faith communities as a means of increasing outreach, educational activities, and visibility to people seeking substance abuse services.”
The ability to utilize the assistance of the churches within the county will be vital moving forward, Miller added.
Along with working toward faith-based initiatives, CCDP is looking to adopt the Building Brains Strong:Tennessee ACEs Initiative, a tool to assist with children going through chronic trauma, known as ‘adverse childhood experiences’.
Miller added that research has proven the chronic trauma can disrupt the brain-building process for children and that CCDP will look at ways to help promote the safety of children during the year.
As the different programs begin to come through the pipeline, input is always encouraged from the public, Miller added.
Residents are invited to attend meetings at the Youth Opportunity Center during the first Wednesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m. The director noted the meetings are always open to the public and regularly feature various individuals, including police officers, representatives from Niswonger and other coalitions. The goals of the meetings are to address the needs for the community to tackle substance abuse and mental health.
Volunteers are also welcomed, especially with the upcoming programs. For more information on how to get involved, contact Miller via email at jennifer.miller@cartercountydrugprevention.org or visit the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition Facebook page online.