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September 7, 2017 (Cabarrus Forum) Page 3293 Understanding Opioid Overuse and Addiction—Personal Story Delton Russell, Community Partners Member Engagement Specialist, Cardinal Innovations shared his personal story of using alcohol and other drugs. He stated that he has not used drugs since 1996, and that his life has improved as a result of not using drugs. Mr. Russell shared the story of the loss of close friends from the use of drugs. Additionally, Mr. Russell shared the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Score, and how someone with a higher ACE Score is at a greater risk of experiencing poor physical and mental health later in life. Throughout the evening, Ms. Beam asked the attendees to use the note pads that were provided to write down ideas, new strategies and new interventions for solutions to the opioid issue. Impact on Families in Our County Alan Thompson, EMS Director, Cabarrus County shared EMS data for how Cabarrus County is the number one county in North Carolina for opioid overdose. The county only transports about 75 percent of opioid overdoses. There have been 424 EMS calls for overdoses through August 31, 2017, and as much as 17 overdoses in a single day. The monthly Naloxone budget is more than all other medicine combined. Mr. Thompson ended his presentation by challenging the attendees to work on helping and making a difference. Ben Rose, Human Services Director explained the department' s role in receiving and responding to cases of abuse and neglect of children. He stated three common themes contributing to child welfare cases: domestic violence, mental health and substance abuse. At least 66 to 75 percent of the cases are a result of substance abuse. Mr. Rose stated that one-third of the 75 percent of cases is due to mental health. Forty percent of kids taken from the home is due to a serious substance abuse issue. Cheryl Harris, Social Work Program Administrator shared legislation that has been passed to assist families with receiving help in the child welfare system. The federal government passed the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to protect infants born with substance in their system. David Whisenant, News Reporter, WBTV shared his personal accounts in Salisbury of overdose cases in August of 2017. Mr. Whisenant shared a WBTV raw video taken at the Economy Inn where a woman overdosed. He also shared other similar stories of these types of tragic events. Mr. Whisenant ended his presentation by offering his assistance as a member of the media to help the cause to abate the opioid issue. Education, Prevention and Treatment Chief Woody Chavis, Kannapolis Police Department shared the City's initiative to establish drop boxes in the community. He shared his amazement for how residents used the drop box as much as they did. He stated until citizens had the drop box, they were only able to dispose of medication at collection events. Chief Chavis explained that in 2013, over 1, 652 pounds of medication were dropped off, and that there are multiple drop boxes located in the county. Kristin Klinglesmith, Cabarrus Health Alliance shared that syringe exchanges have reduced the amount of transferrable diseases. Ms. Klinglesmith announced that a Syringe Exchange Program has been established, and that the program not only benefit the users, but the community as well. To date, there are 22 syringe exchange sites in North Carolina. Chief Gary Gacek, Concord Police Department announced the deployment of a program to administer the lifesaving drug Naxolone. He pointed out that this drug also helps with accidental drug ingestion. Dr. Philip Nofal, Daymark stated that the drugs are not a legal problem, but a disease problem. Dr. Nofal shared that 80 percent of Daymark's admissions are opioid related. He also shared that Daymark has mobile engagement teams, assist with medicine and therapy, and is in 30 communities across the state. Sheriff Brad Riley, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office shared that the Stepping Up Initiative is a national initiative. It is a jail initiative to work with a case worker to assist with book-ins and to offer after care to inmates. Inmates have access to the drug screening tool or health screening tool applied to them. He stated that the goal is to divert inmates from jail into treatment.