Overdose rates in people between the ages of 18 and 24 have doubled in the Sullivan County since 2014.
The county district attorney’s office and drug task force are hoping to make it easier for those fighting addiction to get treatment.
Tri-County Community Partnership Executive Director Annette Kahrs says a recent report shows that there were 93,300 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2020.
That’s why they are partnering with Hope Not Handcuffs.
What You Need To Know
- The program’s mission is to help people battling addiction get the treatment they need before they get into trouble
- Since 2019, there have been more than 350 opioid-related hospital admissions in Sullivan County
- Overdose rates in people between the ages of 18 and 24 have doubled in the county since 2014
“We're looking to get those individuals who are active substance users into the treatment they need, instead of just churning them through the criminal justice system,” says county District Attorney Meagan Galligan.
The program’s mission is to help people battling addiction get the treatment they need before they get into trouble with the law. A person struggling with drug or alcohol addiction can walk into a police station in the county to ask for help.
An angel volunteer with the program will then coordinate with a trained officer to get the person the treatment they need.
“I've seen it happen over the last more than decade here in Sullivan County, with people who don't really view themselves as addicts until they've hit rock bottom. When you hit that point, you need help, and that's why we want to give it to you,” says Galligan.
In the U.S., the number of annual overdose deaths has quadrupled in the last 20 years. Since 2019, there have been more than 350 opioid-related hospital admissions in Sullivan County.
Overdose rates in people between the ages of 18 and 24 have doubled in the county since 2014.
“We do see our heroin overdose death rates so high here in Sullivan County. And the time has come to bring a unified approach to end it,” says Galligan.
Officials are looking for volunteers in Sullivan County to become angels in the program who will help participants complete paperwork and place calls to appropriate providers for treatment assistance.
“In the end, it really does take all of us to come together to try to make real change with this," Kahrs said.
If you need help or would like to volunteer to become an angel, stop by your local police station, or call (833) 428-HOPE for more information.
