Richland County issued a proclamation on Oct. 28 recognizing Substance Abuse Prevention Month and Red Ribbon Week and invited dozens of community partners to describe prevention, treatment and harm-reduction work underway across the county.

Dr. Julie Chaya of Richland Public Health accepted the proclamation and asked participating organizations to briefly describe their services. Tracy Anderson of KC Community Action described school-based prevention in 17 districts and the Red Ribbon theme for the year, "Life is a puzzle: solve it drug free." Anderson said the coalition delivers skill-building and engagement activities for students and partners with local organizations.

Several organizations described harm-reduction and treatment services: a partner organization reported installing two harm-reduction vending machines in adjacent Crawford County that dispense items such as naloxone (Narcan) and other supplies, with a stated hope to place machines in Richland County in the future. The Drug-Free Communities-supported Youth Substance Use Coalition and partner organizations said they have Deterra medication-deactivation pouches and a new SafeRx locking pill bottle available for distribution; the Deterra pouch permits medication deactivation for safe landfill disposal, the coalition said.

Treatment and recovery providers described continuing services: Catalyst Life Services noted residential detox, intensive outpatient and relapse-prevention groups; First Street Family Health and other clinics described medication-assisted treatment integrated with primary care and behavioral services.

Speakers discussed local trends and youth impact. A representative from a children's-services office said the agency conducted 58 juvenile drug tests in September; she reported a substantial share of positives and cited specific examples raised during the meeting, including infants and young children who tested positive (two infants testing positive for cocaine or methamphetamine and three young siblings who tested positive for cocaine were mentioned as examples). The children's-services representative and other speakers linked the county's juvenile positives and pediatric exposures in part to increased availability of edible THC products and urged safe storage and parental vigilance.

The public-health and coalition representatives said they can distribute Deterra pouches, locking pill bottles and other prevention materials to organizations and residents; partners encouraged agencies and residents to request those supplies.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the partnering organizations and noted recent local falls in overdose deaths reported by the coroner's office; partners emphasized prevention, harm reduction and continuing treatment resources available across the county.