Opioid forum held to discuss progress, areas for improvement

The Taking Back Our Community forum made its fourth stop to discuss ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in Wicomico County Thursday evening.  The conversation centers around what the county is doing to decrease overdose deaths, and what more can done to continue the progress made.

The forum uses different panelists at each stop, traveling to different areas around the county.

"It's the national day of prayer, and I figure that it is the most important thing, not just with our thoughts and prayers, but that we actually get engaged in those issues that are most important to our community," said Mimi Gedamu, Salisbury resident and candidate for District 37B.

Locals each had their own reasoning for listening in on forum, hoping to continue the progress made against the opioid epidemic in Wicomico County.

The county is one of the few in Maryland that has seen a decrease in overdose deaths, and health officials tell us that is due to a variety of initiatives.

"I think it's just the multi-pronged approach with community education, having drop off boxes for medications, the COAT team for those connection to services," said Cara Rozaieski, director prevention and health communications for the county health department.

The state has invested in opioid education in schools to kids as early as third grade.  And COAT, which stands for Community Outreach and Addictions Team, has seen a 54 percent success rate of linking those in need with help for their addiction.

Also on hand was Narcan, for those who want to step up to be trained.

"We really try to get out there in the community.  We do Narcan trainings, we have the COAT program, we have a lot of different agencies that are on board.  It's a very collaborative effort," said Christina Bowie, opioid intervention team coordinator.

Despite efforts in Annapolis, many agree that the key to success is at the grass roots level.

One of the main points of discussion is how to get more people into treatment, because some are still being turned away due to lack of space in inpatient facilities.

Other initiatives undertaken by the health department include anti-stigma workshops, Naloxone training, raising awareness for the good Samaritan law and prescription drop off boxes.

We're told these conversations will be ongoing as long as there is a demand in the community.