“Drugs are taking over our county and destroying families!”  This phrase seemed to be a common everyday saying.  To address this issue the Meade County Extension Council, Extension Homemaker Council, local extension agents, local officials and extension specialist worked together to bring awareness to myths and reality.  

The first step in the process was to bring key individuals together to explore the reality of the drug and opioid epidemic in the county.  Statistics related to incidents of overdose, death from overdose and arrest made were explored.  According to the County Health Rankings 2016 report, 15 overdoses occurred resulting in 13 deaths and over 1400 arrest were made which involved drugs.  Based on the interest and statistics presented it was determined to host a series of awareness programs to be offered in the fall of 2018.

Four sessions were planned, speakers secured and presented over a two month period in the Fall ’18.  Sessions included:

Understanding Addiction-Alex Elswick, extension specialist for addiction and substance abuse who covered addiction and shared his personal story involving drug use.

The Truth of the Matter:  Drugs in Meade County involved a panel of first responders, county attorney and coroner.  They presented information and answered questions from participants.  

Hiding in Plain Sight was presented by KSP Information officer Scotty Sharp who presented slides and shared information on how drugs are hidden as well as behaviors parents can detect to better understand their children.

Where Do We Go From? Here was led by Dr. Chuck Stamper and was based on a national issue forum session on drug awareness.  

The session brought a wealth of information to both the planning committee and the participants. Six months after the session an evaluation was sent to participants.  While a slight increase in knowledge was reflected, a majority of the respondents’ views stayed the same.  Based on the evaluation and verbal feedback, one common theme was prevalent. There is a divide between parents and law enforcement.  Many of the parents became defensive when law enforcement basically mentioned on several occasions that parents need to take more interest in their children.  The need for parent education in this area is needed but offered in a nontraditional approach.