County to fund veterans-led opioid-awareness field trip; $26,609.45 opioid-abatement allocation noted

The committee approved up to $2,800 to sponsor a veterans-led opioid-awareness and vaping-prevention field trip for sixth graders at Houston County Middle School after a presentation by Kathy Freight, a community member working with local veterans organizations.

Kathy Freight said she has briefed school leaders and proposed a May 6 event at the Armory that would include certified counselors, expert speakers, a 20-minute Q&A and a possible amnesty box for anonymous student questions. Freight presented an estimated cost of $2,400–$2,800 to cover buses, food and materials and asked the committee to help sponsor the event. Committee members discussed logistics, teacher supervision and reimbursement procedures; the committee authorized the amount and agreed to require receipts or invoices before reimbursement.

Earlier in the meeting the chair announced the county's 2026 opioid-abatement allocation would be $26,609.45, expected to be deposited in late March or early April; with the Cumberland funding approved elsewhere on the agenda, the committee projected about $70,000–$75,000 would remain in the account after disbursements. Members also discussed developing local counseling supports in partnership with providers such as Bethesda and the Menlo Health Cooperative, possible retainer arrangements for counselors, and obtaining Narcan (naloxone) doses for community use; members requested a costed plan to return at the next meeting.

Kathy Freight identified herself as a retired veteran service officer active with veterans groups and said community partners would supply guest speakers and counselors. The committee agreed to sponsor the field trip and to process reimbursement through county procedures once receipts are submitted. The meeting transcript does not specify the committee's formal name or meeting date.