ABOUT
US
In April 2016, more than 80 people attended a town hall meeting about opioid addiction in Gaston County. The concern and the conversation generated from this meeting demonstrated a clear need for organized follow-up.
Within weeks, the Gaston Community Healthcare Commission, a program of Gaston Together, established what is now the Gaston Controlled Substance Coalition.
The Coalition works to:
• Encourage organizations to join the Coalition to work together and accomplish what individual organizations cannot do alone.
• Engage stakeholders: persons living with and affected by Opioid Use Disorder and leaders in the fields of medicine, behavioral health, education, emergency medical services, law enforcement, business, government, public health, and the faith community.
• Work with stakeholders to design and conduct programs that prevent Opioid Use Disorder and help impacted persons secure treatment and support services.
• Share member organizations’ programs and successes to inspire innovative programming in other organizations.
Recognizing Gaston County’s opioid epidemic cannot be solved by any single organization, our Coalition provides a hub where agencies and residents work together to develop and deliver solutions to opioid use disorder. By working with organizations from many sectors – healthcare, mental health, education, faith communities, business, law enforcement, and more – we build awareness of opioid use disorder, deliver prevention programming, and increase access to treatment. As an advocate, the Coalition has helped conduct the County Manager’s Opioid Summit, establish an Opioid Overdose Response Team, and form the Gaston Adult Recovery Court. In our many roles, we work to bring compassion, creativity, and collaboration to end the opioid epidemic in Gaston County.
OUR
PROGRAMS
MEDICATION TAKE-BACK
Conducted in collaboration with the Gaston County Police Department and the Gaston County Sheriff's Office.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Through in-person and virtual events, we educate community groups, students, businesses, and faith communities on opioids and opioid use disorder.
OPIOID PREVENTION & TREATMENT CHAMPIONS
Helps local businesses learn more about opioids, deliver prevention education to employees, support employees who need treatment, and removes opioid stigma.
FAITH FIGHTING ADDICTION
Building skills of clergy and lay leaders to help prevent opioid use disorder, help people secure treatment, and support impacted persons, and families.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Educates medical, health, and human services professionals to prevent opioid misuse and to help their patients and clients living with opioid use disorder.
HIGHLAND
Our first neighborhood-developed program for preventing substance use disorder. Once evaluated, we will offer this model to other neighborhoods.
STOP THE STIGMA
An ad campaign to remove the stigma that stops people from seeking treatment and support.
TREATMENT LINKAGE SUMMITS
Programming for community members and health professionals on preventing opioid misuse.
RACIAL EQUITY PROGRAMMING
Building the Coalition’s skills to prevent and eliminate racial and social inequities in our work.
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS
Provides a supportive environment for the loved ones of persons living with substance abuse to share, care, and help each other.
RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT
Advocates for an affordable residential treatment facility in the Piedmont of North Carolina.
CONNECT
WITH US
Please ask questions, make suggestions, and let us know if you’d like to join the Coalition.