Community comes together to discuss ways to combat the drug crisis in Kent County
DOVER, Del. – The community came together Thursday night in Dover to talk about ways to combat the drug crisis in Kent County.
The forum was held by atTAcK addiction alongside Delaware State Senator Eric Buckson. The purpose of was to hear from the community on what they feel would be the best approach to help those struggling from substance abuse.
“I didn’t show up as a politician, I showed up as someone concerned,” Sen. Buckson emphasized. “Wanting to hear if others shared my concerns, and then find a way to empower those in the room at the next meeting to start to figure it out and get better.”
Community leaders, first responders, advocates, elected officials, and families turned out to share their thoughts. Senator Buckson tells us he put an increased focus on hearing from police, paramedics, and other emergency personnel who are out on the streets on a daily basis, witnessing the drug crisis first hand.
“We want to get focused on what the short falls are, and then we wanna focus on how do we address dealing with those shortfalls,” Sen. Buckson said. “That’s the plan going into the next meeting.”
Senator Buckson tells us what it really boils down to is finding ways to save lives and save families from the heartache of losing their loved ones.
“The family members who are lost in this process on how to help and the challenge of knowing that your best solution is to shut the door, turn off the light, and hope that you don’t get that phone call that says that certain someone in your life has now been found on the streets,” Sen. Buckson stressed. “But you don’t have another option because bringing them home isn’t going to work.”
Moving forward, Senator Buckson says the goal is to encourage people to engage with these issues so together they can come up with solutions to really make a difference.
“That’s the goal,” Sen. Buckson said. “Get more folks energized and then get some confidence. What I hope that people hear from this, or those who heard me speak last night, what has changed, not only has the challenge and the number of folks impacted grown, but the opportunity to address it with the funds that we have coming to the state has matched that. So, never has there been a better time to get organized and get after it, and that’s our goal.”
Senator Buckson plans to continue the conversation with another meeting set to take place at the Kent County Levy Court building in Dover on Thursday, Nov. 16 starting at 6:30 p.m.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE for information and resources or visit HelpisHereDE.com.
