CALM RECEIVES OPIOID ABATEMENT FUNDS 

In February 2024, CALM was awarded $45,000 from Community Impact NC offered by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Use Services providing funds for CALM to contract with a Youth Substance Use Prevention Educator.  Utilizing funds towards empowering the voice of our youth within Wayne County, NC, the Youth Substance Use Prevention Educator is tasked with beginning a Youth Coalition within our community.  Funds also allows CALM to expand data within our anonymouse Wayne County Substance Use Survey regarding youth, incarcerated individuals and our Latine population.  Results will be posted on our website in June 2024 

CALM is excited to announce that in December 2023 we are the recipient of grant funds allowing CALM to lay the prevention education foundational pieces within Wayne County.  Contracting with a Substance Use Prevention Educator, grant funds are applied more towards preparing adults to provide more prevention education.  Hosting two trainings, the Too Good For Drugs and Too Good For Violence curriculum as well as the Digital Threat Assessment, equips our community with a network of front line workers and with the tools needed to  identify, prevent, and intervene on substance usage. 

In April 2024,  our community was riveted with the news of multiple fatal overdoses all within a few days of each other.   As a result, we worked with a major local mental health agency on a local outreach endeavor by offering the agency 18 Narcan, 132 Fentanyl Strips, 38 Xylazine Strips, and 10 Medication Lock Pouches.  The mental health agency took the initiative to distribute the materials to our recently dispersed homeless community, providing the education that needs to accompany distribution of such materials as well as access to treatment.   It is collaborations like this that make our community better. 

CALM (the Coalition for Addiction and Life Management) has received $25,000 in grant funds from Community Impact North Carolina (CINC) to assess substance abuse in Wayne County.

“Substance use does not play favorites,” Machelle Bass, CALM Chair stated. “It can affect anyone at any age. Therefore, CALM desires to provide a prevention pathway for our residents by assessing Wayne County’s specific substance data.”

According to Bass, CALM has partnered with the University of Mount Olive to collect data for the grant project.

“With three research labs within the Psychology Department, UMO is the perfect partner for this local endeavor and we are excited to put our professional skills to use by engaging in meaningful work that will benefit the community, ” said Natalie Kemp, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the REACH (Resilience Education Awareness for Coping and Hope) lab.

CALM has set a date of Dec. 30 to release its findings. Monies from the grant will also be used for such projects as the Lock Your Meds Campaign, and other initiatives.

To participate with the Wayne County Substance Use Assessment visit tinyurl.com/35hc6y5r.

The Wayne County Coalition for Addiction and Life Management (CALM) led a collaborative effort to help the homeless reduce overdoses.  In May 2023, CALM assisted the Tommy’s Foundation with receiving 200 Backpacks from WAGES stocked with drinkable water, hygiene kits, collapsible water container, radio, batteries, PPE, hand sanitizer, and flashlights for the purpose of distribution to the homeless community within Wayne County.  
    Recently, CALM received a donation from Eastpointe through Opioid Abatement Funds of 1) Narcan, a medication that helps reverse overdoses; 2) Fentanyl Strips, testing strips that detect fentanyl; and 3) Deterra Medication Disposable Bags, used to safely dispose of unused drugs or medication.
      ”Collaborative efforts maximize the effectiveness of our resources so we donated enough Fentanyl Strip, Fentanyl information brochures, and Deterra Medication Disposable Bag for each backpack to help bring awareness to the dangers of using drugs within one of the most at risk populations of overdosing.”  Machelle Bass stated. “We also supplied and trained The Tommy’s Foundation on Narcan because equipping organizations with Narcan is important.”        United Way offered 211 cards, and Eastpointe included their 24/7 contact information and medication lock boxes purchased with Opioid Abatement Funds.  Wayne County 4-H included insulated coolers and phone chargers. 
    “This all started with WAGES, an organization that empowers our community, looking to get their backpacks into the hands of our homeless population within Wayne County.  CALM is thankful to be a part.” stated Machelle Bass.   The Tommy’s Foundation will distribute the backpacks.  

According to the Wayne County 2021-2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, substance abuse ranks second for factors impacting Quality of Life in Wayne County.

These harsh realities have motivated CALM to collaborate with Melissa Harrell, LCMHC, to host a Family Support Group for family members of addicted loved ones, and families who have lost a loved one to addiction.

“Collaborations are important for overcoming substance use,” said Machelle Bass, Chair of CALM. “Anyone navigating the world of addiction without support eventually feels frustrated and/or helpless. Our Family Support Group offers an opportunity of convening for a common purpose which, over time, leads to empowerment.”

Melissa Harrell stated, “Substance use is like dropping a pebble in a pond. It ripples into crime, economics, children’s lives, family’s lives, and more.”

The Family Support Group is different from a therapeutic group.

“A therapeutic group is led by the therapist and is centered on the therapeutic goals,” said Harrell. “The Family Support Group is led by those who attend. The leader is there to validate and support what is being shared.”

The Family Support Group will meet the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 at 900 S. Harding Street, Goldsboro.

CALM is also hosting International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 at the Hub on Center Street starting at 11:00 a.m. There will be speakers, vendors, and a remembrance of those who have been lost due to an overdose.

As a leading advocate for providing resources and education for substance use prevention and intervention, CALM is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $40,000 grant from Community Impact North Carolina (CINC).

The grant will run from October 2024 to June 2025. After the Substance Use Survey was conducted in Wayne County, CALM found that alcohol is a priority of concern with an initial use age of 15-16 years old. This generous funding will significantly enhance the nonprofit’s ability to provide alcohol use education and awareness to underserved communities in Wayne County.

The grant from CINC will be utilized to decrease the use of underage alcohol use by performing ripple mapping. There will also be prevention education provided with the strategy “Talk It Up! Lock It Up!” social media campaign. With this support, CALM aims to decrease underage alcohol use and provide awareness for responsible use towards legalized users.

CALM is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant through the Wayne County Opioid Abatement Funds. This funding will enhance our ongoing efforts to support Wayne County residents affected by the opioid crisis by providing essential resources and services.

With these funds, we will continue to connect individuals with the necessary resources for recovery and support. Our programs aim to empower community members by ensuring they have access to vital services, including treatment options, counseling, and educational materials on substance use.

Additionally, we are excited to collaborate with the Wayne County Youth Steering Committee to address the specific needs and concerns of our youth regarding substance use. By engaging with young people, we aim to raise awareness, foster open conversations, and develop targeted initiatives that promote healthy choices and resilience.

CALM remains dedicated to creating a healthier, more informed community. We encourage residents to reach out for support and take part in upcoming programs designed to address substance use and promote overall well-being.

A new synthetic drug known as "pink cocaine" is raising concerns among health officials and communities. Resembling a colorful powder, this substance is gaining popularity among partygoers but poses serious health risks.

"Pink cocaine" is not actual cocaine; it typically contains a mix of substances like ketamine. Its appealing appearance and euphoric effects can lead to severe side effects, including anxiety and potential addiction. The unclear legal status of this drug further complicates public health efforts.

Our organization stresses the need for education and awareness about emerging drug trends. We encourage communities to engage in open discussions about substance use and prioritize harm reduction strategies. See article here: https://www.wral.com/story/what-is-the-recreational-drug-pink-cocaine/21684413/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=wral&utm_term=Health