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Volunteer urges more focus on alcohol prevention; committee notes funding limits
Summary
A longtime recovery volunteer said alcoholism affects more people than drugs and urged attention to alcohol prevention, while others noted opioid remediation funds cannot currently be used for alcohol programs without reallocation.
At the SUDAK meeting Ronnie, a long-involved recovery volunteer, urged the committee to address alcohol use disorder alongside opioid efforts. "Alcoholism is a bigger problem than drugs," Ronnie said, highlighting the number of people affected and the availability of recovery speakers and volunteers who can present in schools and community events.
Other members agreed on the need for alcohol-focused outreach but noted a funding gap. Ronnie highlighted that "we have money to spend for opioid remediation, but we do not have money to spend for alcohol remediation." The committee discussed low-cost options such as inviting volunteer speakers into schools and placing resource cards in restaurants and bathrooms, and suggested working with health teachers and local merchants to broaden prevention messaging.
