September is National Recovery Month, and Cumberland River Behavioral Health is partnering with several other agencies to spread the word about overdose awareness. This past weekend, they presented a special event in downtown Corbin that featured guest speakers, music, vendors, resources, and a balloon release in Nibroc Park.
“This is an overdose awareness and recovery celebration event,” explained Danielle Matlock, who is the Director of Recovery Services with Cumberland River. “What we wanted to do is offer resources to the community – for people who are in recovery, people who are seeking recovery, and people who just need a little bit of extra help.”
Matlock, along with Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Tye, said the response to the event was overwhelming, both from those who attended looking for resources and the long list of community partners who showed up to provide those resources.
Sober living houses, Grace Health outpatient services, Cumberland River Victims Services, mental health advocacy groups and various treatment centers were among the booths that were set up in Nibroc Park between 2-6 p.m. Saturday to hand out information and offer help to those in need.
Also present was Operation Appalachian Strong, led by Mr. Garry Conley, who were these feeding visitors for free.
“We are trying to honor those who have passed away from addiction, and also celebrate recovery at the same time,” Matlock said of the event, which was a first for Cumberland River Behavioral Services.
Based on the turnout, Matlock said that plans are already being made to bring the event back next year.
For more information, visit Cumberland River online at www.crbhky.org, follow them on Facebook, or give them a call at (606) 528-7010. They are located at 1203 American Greeting Card Rd. in Corbin.
Whitley County Health Department also promoting overdose awareness
The Whitley County Health Department is also doing its part this week to help spread the word concerning overdose awareness. Through Sept. 26, community members will have the opportunity to honor the lives of friends and family members who have been lost to addiction by adding their name(s) to a special memorial that will be on display at the Green Space on Main in downtown Williamsburg. To add a name, visit the health department at 368 Penny Lane, Spero Health at 225 N. 3rd St., or Horizon Health at 114 N. 2nd St.
Also, on Thursday, Sept. 25, the health department invites the community to participate in Save a Life Day, which will take place between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Health department personnel will be distributing free naloxone, as well as providing health education and information on various other resources that will be useful in preventing overdose deaths. For more information, go online to www.whitleycountyhealthdepartment.com, follow the health department on Facebook, download their mobile app, or call (606) 549-3380.
