Wic. Co. Health Dept. launches ‘COAT’ program

Attacking opioid addiction through outreach and personal experiences. It’s a goal of the Wicomico County Health Department’s newest program geared towards preventing overdoses and helping those who are struggling.

“My hope is that we can engage as many people into treatment services as possible.” Said Program Supervisor, Tasha Jamison.

Jamison tells us the *Community Outreach Addictions Team* or ‘COAT’, is made up of three people referred to as peers, all with history of addition but have been sober for at least two years. These peers serve as mentors, guiding those addicted to treatment programs.

We’re told it all begins with a phone call to the team’s completely free 24/7 line. After that there’s no definite protocol, but rather an evaluation of an individual’s needs and how to best approach each situation. From there, one of the three peers guides those addicted through the treatment process hopefully leading them to a sober life.

“These peers are going to help an individual get treatment services or recovery services in whatever setting they’d like to get services in,”

It’s a journey that can be tough to begin on your own.

“With some of the systems that are set up, it can be difficult to access treatment. If it were easy, I think a lot more people would be doing it,” said Jamison. “It could be as simple as not having the appropriate ID to get into a treatment facility, not having insurance, not knowing where to go.”

The COAT peers can help get you started on the right path. They will also be working with law enforcement in the area. We’re told the peers may accompany them to the scene of an overdose in hopes that the recovery process can start even in the darkest times. It’s just one step forward on the long journey of recovery.

More than $100,000 in funding for the program was approved in the Wicomico County Budget back in April. We’re told it’s funded through the next fiscal year. After that, Jamison hopes to keep the program going either through more county funds or with separate grants.