Local Observance Promotes Overdose Awareness

August 31, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

An observance was held Sunday at Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church for International Overdose Awareness Day, an event to kick-off National Recovery Month in September.

While the nation is slowing down during the Covid-19 pandemic, substance-abuse isn’t. That’s why members of the DeKalb County Prevention Coalition in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the DeKalb County Recovery Court say this year’s Overdose Awareness Day was particularly important.

“The goal of this  event is to provide support to individuals who have lost ones to overdoses and then also to educate the public so we can start reducing some of the social stigmas that are attached to a substance use disorder,” said Lisa Cripps of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition.

Part of the event included training in how to administer naloxone, a life-saving drug that can revive someone who has overdosed. Twenty five people took part in the training administered by Suzanne Angel and Colby Lane, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists for the State of Tennessee.  Entertainment was also featured by Seth Willoughby and Colton Rhody.

A candlelight vigil in the church yard was held to remember those lost to overdose. “It was a sweet and spiritual remembrance,” said Cripps.

Lydia Price was invited to speak during the program. She talked about her road to recovery from addiction.

“I started drinking which led to harder drugs. It really took hold of my life. At age 26 I had a beautiful little boy but due to my addiction DCS became involved. I couldn’t stay clean at that time. I was in and out of treatment. Ultimately I went to court after being nine months sober but due to my past and having been in court so much they terminated my (parental) rights. I know God played a part in all of it because that is what it took for me to get clean,” said Price.

“Living in addiction is such a dark place. I lost my family and my home. I was walking to work and riding a bike. It was a hard life. At the time I didn’t realize it but since getting clean, I have my family back and a lot of support. I have been blessed with an amazing job and I have an amazing fiancé. I am thankful for my life today. After losing my son I was afraid that God would never bless me with a family and I had come to terms with that as much as it hurt me. I couldn’t forgive myself. In 2015 before my rights were terminated, I attempted suicide. I woke up in ICU a couple of days later. It helped me get clean. I had to do a lot of therapy to work through that but that’s okay. If you are suffering ask for help. In January of this year I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. God’s promises ring true. I never thought I would have a family but I do. Its not always easy but God will make a way. I am so thankful for my life today,” said Price.

Colby Lane of the Smith County Prevention Coalition and, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist also talked about his experience with addiction.

“A couple of things stand out in my childhood as indicators as to why I got here. My father was an addict who committed suicide two months before my fourth birthday. From there my mom raised me in church and I got saved when I was eleven. We moved back and forth a lot from Macon County in Tennessee to the suburbs of Dallas Texas. When I was in Dallas I was a country kid who didn’t fit in and when I was in Lafayette I was the preppie kid who didn’t fit in. I struggled with who I was for a long time,” said Lane

“I got in my first relationship in eighth grade. She was the love of my life and the girl I was going to marry but she cheated on me. It was the first time I felt like who I was wasn’t good enough. Later I joined a group of friends who were smoking and drinking and I dove right in. I had been a three sport athlete and made good grades but when I took my first drink and smoked my first joint it led to ecstasy, mushrooms, cocaine, and opiates which was the first thing I could not put down,” Lane continued.

“I battled opiates for seven or eight years until I got to methamphetamines. Amidst all this I got married and had a little girl but my marriage started falling apart which led me further down the road of addiction and to jail repeatedly. The last time I went to jail was November 30, 2017. I was involved in a hit and run that day in Smith County and was on the run. Later that day I was in a police chase in another county where they found meth, marijuana, and scales in my vehicle. When I got to jail it was the first time I submitted myself to God. Inside the jail I started seeing God work in my life. I spent three months in Macon County and then I went down to Smith County where they offered me Recovery Court. That was on February 21, 2018. I started reading my Bible the next day and it changed my life. From there I got into Recovery Court and never had a sanction. I did everything they asked because I was tired of doing things my way,” said Lane.

“I would recommend Recovery Court to anyone because for a person who had been using since my teens, I didn’t know how to be an adult and I needed adults around me to show me how to live. From there I took a job with the Smith County Prevention Coalition which led to my role as a Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist. I have learned that you can go through personal struggles in recovery and maintain your sobriety. The message is hope and the promise is freedom,” said Lane.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event usually held on August 31 each year which aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

Thousands of people die each year from drug overdose. They come from all walks of life. International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.
Do you recognize the signs and symptoms of overdose? What is the impact of drug use and overdose on family, friends and those experiencing it?

//www.overdoseday.com/

August 31, 2020
By:

DTC Blaze has completed an undefeated season in  the DeKalb County Youth Baseball League with a record of 13-0. Special thanks to DTC and the DeKalb Youth Baseball League.

Picture
Left to right:
Row 1: Desmond Cade, Silas Tramel, Garrett Muskopf, Hayes Kent, Jackson Dunaway
Row 2: Cameron Pursell, Maddox Vickers, Braxton Knowles, Evan Sims, Zane Griffith
Row 3: Assistant Coach Chris Pursell, Head Coach Ron Griffith

August 31, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A Blood Assurance drive is set for Friday, September 4th.

The blood drive will be from 8 a.m. until 12 noon outside in the parking lot of the Family Medical Center in the bloodmobile.

You may schedule an appointment at www.bloodassurance.org/familymedctr. You may also contact Michiko Martin concerning the blood drive at 615-597-4395 or mmartin@dtccom.net.

Remember to eat a good meal, drink additional water, and avoid energy drinks and bring a photo ID.

Donors can now download the BA App and answer their health questions prior to coming to the bus. Just download “bloodassurancequickscreen” and answer the questions to the end hit DONE day of the blood drive. This will save you 10 minutes on the bus.

All donors will be given a “Happy Camper Southern Blood Donor” t-shirt.

Blood Assurance is the sole blood provider for the local hospitals and your donation is needed for an adequate supply.

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