As part of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE), the New Vista Regional Prevention Center is offering free one-hour trainings to educate community leaders and concerned citizens about opioids, the use of naloxone to save lives, and the role each of us can play in preventing opioid misuse. Each training is offered virtually for one hour over Zoom, with informational packets and naloxone mailed out to participants after the training. Please sign up for one date below according to the training that best suits your role. And please share with others in your community who might benefit from this training. Recovery is possible. You can make a difference.         Faith Leaders – Supportive and healing environments promote recovery. Learn how you can help reduce stigma, connect people to resources and save lives. March 18 – 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. eventbrite.com/e/141362126927 April 13 – 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/141721983267 May 5 – 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/141722645247     Businesses – Learn how you can help reduce stigma, help those in recovery and create a supportive work culture. March 24 – 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/141736602995 April 29 – 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/141739894841 May 11 – 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. eventbrite.com/e/141741427425     Local Government  – Policies make a difference. Learn how government can support prevention efforts and make our communities healthier.  March 23 – 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/141728486719 April 21 – 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. eventbrite.com/e/141729788613 May 13 – 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/141734637115

About New Vista New Vista is the nonprofit community mental health center for 17 counties in Central Kentucky. We serve over 25,000 children, adults and families each year with mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disability services. The mission of New Vista is to assist children, adults and families in the enhancement of their emotional, mental and physical well-being, particularly those who have limited options for meeting their behavioral health needs.

Mission: Through partnerships, we empower the community to prevent the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and we work to reduce the overall impact of these substances in Fayette County.

Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, January 19, 2021 – Meeting held via Zoom at 8:30am

Attendees:

Amy Baker – City of Lexington, Andrea James – City of Lexington, Lisa Prewitt- Peace Hospital, Emily McCarthy – New Vista, Karma Bryan, Shawn Freeman – New Vista, Relisha Howard – Fayette County Detention Center. Katie Gross – New Vista, John Broadus – Seven Counties, Elizabeth Valett – New Vista, Scott LuAllen, City of Lexington, John Moses – Health Department, Rebecca Banks – New Vista, Alyesse Coonrod – Kentucky Moms Program at New Vista, Ciera Bowman – Fayette Co. Drug Court, TC Johnson – Winburn Elementary, Amy Cowley, Jill Chenault Wilson – Parks and Recreation, Emily Greene, Remy Ford, Sierrah Miley – #ICanEndTheTrend, Brittany Thompson – Groups Recover Together, Diana Doggett, Brandon Muravchic – Lexington Police, Matt Greathouse – Lexington Police, Jani Combs Lewis.

New Attendees Contact Information from Chat Box:

Jenna Ward, Youth Empowerment Specialist at New Vista – jenna.ward@newvista.org

Remy Ford, UK Graduate Student – remy.ford@uky.edu

Sierrah Miley, #ICanEndTheTrend at UK

Jessica Osborne, Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Coordinator at New Vista – jessica.osborne@newvista.org

Emily Greene – Groups Recover Together – emily.greene@joingroups.com

Member Update – Ciera Bpwman with Fayette County Drug Court will be moving to Henry and the new Family Resource and Youth Services Coordinator.

Budget Update – Amy Baker

The budget carryover has been approved now and we can proceed with projects as planned. We have DrugFreeLex tote bags available for those working with substance use clients who needs bags for their belongings. Email Emily McCarthy at New Vista to request bags at emily.mccarthy@newvista.org.

JUULing PSA Update – Karma Bryan

The former marijuana group of DrugFreeLex that has been in existence for more than 15 years started out wanting to focus on youth prevention of nicotine and tobacco products. 2019 data tells us that heroin and smoking is down 55% among youth. Vaping has replaced smoking now among youth. Parents and teachers are looking for information. We know that new products have very high levels of nicotine and can be very addictive. Many parents are reporting withdrawal symptoms in their children, even those that have never smoked. So the new focus for the group is on helping parents and educators learn more about how harmful these products are. In 2018, a production team from Spectrum cable was hired to help produce 3 PSAs on vaping. They quickly became outdated due to some legal changes and the types of products in the market. Now, we have partnered with UK’s #Icanendthetrend program to revise these PSAs. Sierrah Miller and her team will handle the production of 3 new videos. $7,000 is approved for this project for production and marketing of the videos. Amy Baker will supply the paperwork to get started.

Minority Mental Health Summit Update – John Broadus

We met with the team at New Vista to talk about how to engage youth and host this summit for Jefferson and Fayette Counties. We plan for this to be a virtual event, but we might break it into a 4-part series so youth do not have to be on zoom for too long at a time. Looking for ideas to incentivize them to attend when it’s a virtual event. Looking at March, April, May June and end in July to coincide with Minority Mental Health Month. TC Johnson offered to help out with incentives, as she still has goals to meet within her own school to engage youth. Most agree that it cannot be held during school, just too hard to engage them and keep their attention. Would also like to get feedback from the group on local clubs and youth groups to help engage students for this event. Jill Chenault Wilson and Andrea James will email John Broadus some ideas. Ciera Bowman suggested contacting Woodhill Community Center. Andrea James requested a flier on the event and what we are asking from these youth groups/other community organizations. Committee meeting to be held today and will discuss plans in more detail.

Fayette County Detention Center Update – Relisha Howard

Detention center had some recent changes in leadership, and a significant outbreak of COVID-19. We have recently submitted a grant for approval, waiting to find out on that. We have started a new program to help veterans  as well. We are also partnering with the HEALing communities grant staff to get naloxone and training inside the detention center. The SAP program is currently not in place due to COVID concerns. Vaccine is now being made available to us.

HEALing Communities Grant Update – Andrea James

We are now in Phase 5, the implantation phase of the grant. We started out focused on opioids, realizing quickly that there are many other substances of concern to be aware of, but the HEAL grant is focused on reducing opioid deaths. Medication disposal boxes are being distributed in the community, many in places that have never had them. We also developed the resource guide that has been emailed out now to DFL members. This is important to share out as you can, to connect people to community resources, emergency contacts and treatment providers. The grant was allowed a 6-month extension due to COVID delays, and some additional funding as well. Please reach out to Andrea James for questions or more information on the grant. They need help getting the word out, and letting people know about the work being done.

Legislation Update – Methadone is now covered under Medicaid, allowing greater access for opioid use disorder. New legislation has also been proposed that naloxone should be a co-prescription with any medication assisted treatment medication. Sign up for bill watch with the state of Kentucky to stay up-to-date on these issues.

Subcommittees Update – Shawn Freeman and Emily McCarthy

We encourage everyone serving on DrugFreeLex to sign up for a subcommittee to help us achieve our goals and come up with new ways to engage our community. We will be sending out an email soon to the entire DFL membership with final committee names and then you can email back with what subcommittees you would like to serve on.

Harm Reduction Update – John Moses

We have moved the needle exchange program outside and are practicing social distancing guidelines to keep everyone safe. We are still doing HIV/HEP C testing on-site, as well as distributing naloxone. We are currently NOT going into the jail due to concerns of spreading infection.

Motion to adjourn meeting at 10:00am by Amy Baker, Second by Shawn Freeman.

NEXT MEETING will be in March 16 2021, update will be sent via email.

Mission: Through partnerships, we empower the community to prevent the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and we work to reduce the overall impact of these substances in Fayette County.

Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, October 13, 2020 – Meeting held via Zoom at 8:30am

Attendees:

Amy Baker – City of Lexington, Andrea James – City of Lexington, Lisa Prewitt- Peace Hospital, Emily McCarthy – New Vista, Genia McKee – KIPRC, Shawn Freeman – New Vista, Relisha Howard – Fayette County Detention Center. Katie Gross – New Vista, John Broadus – Seven Counties, Scott Luallen – City of Lexington, Elizabeth Valett – New Vista, Alyesse Coonrod – New Vista, John Moses – Health Department, Rebecca Banks – New Vista, Ciera Bowman – Fayette Co. Drug Court, TC Johnson – Winburn Elementary, Theodore Ware, Briana Persley, Shelley Elswick, Voices of Hope, Alicia Miller, Amy Cowley, Shannon Bailey, Isabel Taylor, Jill Chenault Wilson – Parks and Recreation, Michael Neubert, Michelle Westerkamp.

New Attendees Contact Information from Chat Box:

Briana Persley, Partners for Yout Foundation – bpersley@lexingtonky.gov, 859-280-8003

Rebecca Banks, New Vista, Rebecca.banks@newvista.org

Michael Neubert, Optimal Living, 865-292-3481 or 865-292-3481

Shannon Bailey, Chrysalis House, shannonbailey@chrysalishouse.org

Alyesse Coonrod, New Vista, Alyesse.coonrod@newvista.org

Michelle Westerkamp, JourneyPure Treatment Centers, mwesterkamp@journeypure.org, 859-391-4741

Isabel Taylor, itaylor@lexingtonky.gov

John Broadus, Seven Counties, jbroadus@sevencounties.org

JUULing Campaign Update – Genia McKee

The JUUL videos are in the process of being updated. Hope to use these on website and social media once ready.

Minority Mental Health Summit Update – Shawn Freeman

John Broadus accepted a position with Seven Counties, but has agreed to be a part of the planning of the summit. Rebecca Banks and Alyesse Coonrod from New Vista will assist as well, both are bilingual. Focus will be on relationships, community violence, mental health concerns, impact on youth, and school environment. Looking at outside venues to hold this with social distancing guidelines in place, do not think Zoom will be effective. Open to ideas on best ways to hold the summit. Genia McKee offered to share some resources from a recent conference on how to engage with youth online. Andrea James suggested we contact creators of the FEND (Full Energy No Drugs) app to assist us with connecting to youth, possibly having Devine Carama come and speak to DFL. Please download the FEND app at wearefend.org to learn more. TC Johnson asked if FEND got any buy-in with Fayette County Public Schools to use it with students, but Andrea said there was no interest at that time to implement. TC is going to do some further outreach to try and get this going. Amy Baker stated that they are also looking for good speakers, preferably people of color, to speak at the summit. If anyone is interested in helping with the Minority Mental Health Youth Summit, please contact Shawn Freeman at New Vista by email at shawn.freeman@newvista.org.

Devine Carama – Potential speaker can be reached at DevineCarama859@gmail.com

Website Update – Emily McCarthy

The DrugFreeLex website has a new design and we are asking people to review the content and make any suggestions for changes. We also need fresh content to be updated regularly, perhaps by a college intern who might be interested in learning more about websites and social media. Briana Persley offered to send some resources that might be looking for internships. Shelley Elswick recommended we remove the instances of substance “abuse” and simply say substance use to reduce stigma.

Fayette County Detention Center Update – Relisha Howard

There is a lot of SUD programming offered inside the detention center, as a lot of inmates have substance use issues despite what their main charges were. DrugFreeLex is helping to purchase materials to be used for the Celebrate Recovery Program to keep these programs going. Previously, the health department was doing in-person programming at the FCDC, so continuing programming in some form is important. The HEAL grant from UK has stepped in and is able to provide naloxone and training that is helping people from FCDC atter they are released.

Subcommittee Discussion – Amy Baker

We have several DFL subcommittees. Are these still valuable? Do we need to make changes or combine? Feedback is requested by all members.

• Youth Addiction/Prevention Committee – This committee has been an active committee for several years with DFL. They will also be working on planning the Minority Mental Health Summit. If interested in joining this committee, please contact Betty Bowen or Karma Phillips. TC Johnson (t.c.johnson@fayette.kyschools.us) and Jill Chanault Wilson will continue to work with this committee to help connect with schools, as they have done in the past.
• Marketing and Membership Committee – These two committees have combined into one. Not much membership outreach is being done right now, but this could be done in the future as in-person meetings start up again. If you would like to invite someone to part of DFL, please contact Amy Baker. We plan to purchase some DFL bags with our logo and the FindHelpNowKY.org logo to hand out at some treatment locations and needle exchange to help people carry their belongings. Also, the committee will meet via Zoom in the coming weeks to review the DFL website and any changes. Please send any suggestions for the website to Emily McCarthy at emily.mccarthy@newvista.org
• Strategic Planning Committee – This committee is comprised of officers and evaluates the budget, goals and projects happening with DFL. Makes recommendations on new projects and updates the strategic plan each year. Contact is Amy baker at abaker@ky.gov.
• Harm Reduction Committee – The committee has purchased materials for the Needle Exchange in the past as part of the mission to keep people safe while actively using, with the hopes of getting them into treatment when they are ready. John Moses is the contact, you can email him at johnq.moses@lfchd.org
• Stigma Reduction Committee – Discussion by members was had that stigma reduction efforts should be a part of all committees. It was decided that this committee will move forward to consult all committees when planning events or writing new content for marketing or communications with the public, as to make sure the language used does help reduce stigma about substance use. Shelley Elswick will be the contact and can be emailed at shelley@voicesofhopelex.org

Member Updates

• Emily McCarthy – New Vista is hosting free Virtual Wellness Groups that are open to anyone in the community. They are meant to provide extra support, coping skills, and tips for easing stress during COVID-19. They are offered Monday through Thursday from 5pm to 6pm. Just visit www.newvista.org to learn more.
• Theo Ware – The Community Action council is still offering utility assistance for the community. We are also hosting a podcast on people who had their voting rights restored. Any interest, contact Theo Ware with Community Action at theodore.ware@commaction.org
• Shelley Elswick – Voices of Hope is now offering a family support lineat 888-HOPE4KY. Virtual services are also available online at www.voicesofhopelex.org and include yoga and support groups.
• TC Johnson – Winburn Middle School will be hosting a Drug Awareness Art contest, and is looking for judges. Theme is “Be Happy – Be Courageous, Be Drug Free.” And on October 30, Winburn Middle is hosting a Fall Harvest resource event in the parking lot. Contact TC Johnson is you would like to set up a table at t.c.johnson@fayette.kyschools.us
• Briana Persley – The Nieghborhood Youth Council is still meeting virtually. We offer several grants up to $3,000 which will be available to apply on December 1. Also, if you want to serve as a youth job site, please contact Briana at bpersley@lexingtonky.gov
• John Moses – The health department is still offering normal services, moving most of them outside for safety. They have seen a large increase in new clients at the Needle Exchange. They have been using available funding to distribute naloxone to locations throughout Fayette County to reach vulnerable populations. ALSO, there are free flu shots available at the health department, so get yours by making an appointment at 859-288-2444.
• Genia McKee – KIPRC hosted the annual Harm Reduction Summit, and there were many valuable sessions that were recorded and will be made available to the public. Genia will send out links once available. Resource directories have also been created for inmates being released due to COVID to help connect them with needed resources.

• Motion to adjourn meeting at 10:00am by Amy Baker, Second by Genia McKee. Please meet with your subcommittees and be prepared to present any updates at the next meeting. Thanks for attending!

NEXT MEETING will be in January, 2021, update will be sent via email.

 

February 26, 2019

Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, Rice C. Leach Community Room

Attendance: 26

ANTAGONIST PRODUCTIONS – REQUEST FOR FUNDING

• Promote local actors/the arts
• Present the “I Come From” plays in prisons in Liberty, KY
• Soni Cantrell-Smith and Margo Buchanan – writers of “The Last Call” musical coming to Lexington in September 2019
• Resources will be available after productions for those seeking help
• $15/ticker or pay what you can
• 12 character – all local

JUUL PSA VIDEOS

• 3 videos created to target parents and teachers to provide information about Juuls
• Videos to be posted to DrugFreeLex social media
• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIbHXTyNzgn_Qj9Zonv6vk1P6tw5P6dki

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF DRUG ABUSE HEAL GRANT UPDATE

• Upcoming meeting to discuss grant money for evidence-based programs in 18 counties, overdose prevention, incarcerated individuals, and needle exchange

SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES

• Marketing/Awareness: reviewing bylaws.  Need more exposure for DFL. Considering purchase of promotional items: shirts, pens, bumper stickers
• Stigma Reduction: Needle Exchange is target. Why are folks that need exchange not coming?
• Membership: Get the right people at the table.  Need specific representatives from certain places on the committee.
• Strategic Planning: Will submit next plan in June. How will we spend our money?
• Youth: Want to get the new youth worker at Bluegrass on board with committee. Have been discussing this year’s youth summit. How will we get the youth more involved?

FUNDING REQUEST

We have funding available that must be assigned.  Suggested to use some funding for “The Last Call” musical “Director’s Chair” Sponsorship. Recommended by board to ask for full page ad.  Unanimous vote of “Yes.”

Full Board Meeting Minutes

January 15, 2019

At the January meeting, the Board welcomed guest speaker Shawn Freeman from the Prevention Department at Bluegrass.org.  Shawn spoke to the group about her prevention staff, the prevention service area, and the type of work done in her department.  See below for a brief summary of her presentation:

• Service areas: 17 KY counties
• The Prevention Team assists coalitions (and ASAP boards) and communities with drug prevention
• Target: Youth
• Looking at individual environment and shared environments of clients
• The Prevention Team oversees the KIP survey (Fayette County did not participate this year)
• Grants that fund the Prevention Team: 10
• Funding sources: SAMHSA, CSAP, CADCA, ONDCP/KY-ODCP
• “Too Good for Drugs”: K-12, developmentally appropriate prevention curriculum
• “Sources of Strength”: Suicide prevention, peer driven

Following the discussion with Shawn, the board broke into subcommittees to begin work.  A brief summary of the topics covered by each committee is listed below.  Updates about the committees’ progress will be shared at the next meeting in February.

• Membership: evaluate current membership and identify gaps
• Strategic Planning: creating a 3-5 year plan for DrugFreeLex
• Marketing/Awareness: improve the presence of DFL in the community
• Youth: reach out to the youth in our community
• Stigma Reduction: primarily focusing on reducing stigma around the Needle Exchange Program

The next meeting will be held on February 26 from 8:30 to 10:00 AM at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.

Please join our new Mayor Linda Gorton and Baptist Health Lexington President Bill Sisson for a conversation about combating the opioid crisis and a screening of the film Beautiful Boy.  The event will take place Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Theatre located at 214 East Main Street.

Additional information regarding this important event can be found on the flyer below:

Also check out this Ted Talk:

Full Board Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2018

Budget Review

Copies of the 2019 budget were distributed and reviewed line by line.  Members who would like a copy of the budget should contact the board coordinator.

Subcommittees

Five subcommittees were formed: 1) Youth; 2) Marketing and Awareness; 3) Strategic Planning; 4) Membership; 5) Stigma Reduction.  All members should sign up for a subcommittee before the next meeting in January.  At the meeting, groups will meet for the first time.  A Google Doc has been emailed to members to allow them to sign up for the group or groups they are interested in.  Contact the board coordinator for access to the Google Doc.

Harm Reduction Grant

DrugFreeLex has applied for a harm reduction grant, asking for $20,000.  If awarded, funds will go toward Naloxone Community Classes.

Announcements:

William Wells Brown: Drug Free Day in June- waiting on grant money. Health and wellness event will held in January. This will include a weight loss challenge.

The Well: Looking for future board members. Currently exploring options of getting into the schools.

Overdose Map: This is now available for first responders, Health Department and other social service agencies.

Health Department: 62 participants attended the Community Naloxone class in October at Hope Springs Church. The Health Department is encouraging everyone to get hepatitis A vaccinations.

Bluegrass.org: Currently hiring for a few positions. The individuals hired will begin attending the Drug Free Lex meetings. Staff has offered to help at events, providing a booth or table with information from their Marketing / Community Engagement Department. The Schwartz Center is adding 12 beds. SUD evaluations can be conducted at the Bluegrass.org on Mechanic Street. More programs coming to Madison County in the near future. New centers are open in Eastern Kentucky for pregnant women, on site evaluations are conducted, and job training/ internships are available through Sullivan University.

UK Healthcare: Youth Specific Training Program happening January – July. Training on how to engage substance using youth.

Wellcare: Kentucky Health Waiver starting April 2019. Some individuals will need to work or volunteer to continue receiving healthcare benefits. Open enrollment ends December 15, 2018.

Find Help Now KY: Providers need to sign up online. Also update information when needed.

Substance Abuse/ Department of Agriculture: Monthly support groups available for grandparents as parents.