During the August meeting of the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, several positive announcements were made by members of the coalition receiving funding and support from the Council.
The Community Opioid Prevention Effort (C.O.P.E.) announced that with the addition of northern communities, all fire and law enforcement agencies will be onboard with the Quick Response Teams. All local hospitals are now included in referring overdose patients as well. There are more than 85 community members and organizations working together in partnership to ensure the success of the outreach program.
The Quick Response Teams (QRTs) consist of a medic, a law enforcement officer and a peer recovery specialist who attempt to make contact within 72 hours to the subject of an opioid overdose. The teams work with the person to enter recovery programs in the hope of breaking the cycle of addiction. During the past month, the QRTs conducted five pre-planned and 10 unannounced visits resulting in three patients enrolling in recovery services.
Funding for the QRTs comes from a Bureau of Justice Administration (BJA) grant. Due to the group’s success, the BJA has asked for the committee to share the model, including the positive education and prevention component.
Hamilton County sponsors a Drug Court in Superior Court 6. Those eligible for the program spend an intensive 18 to 24 months designed to assist them in overcoming substance abuse. This summer saw four participants graduate and another graduation is scheduled in October. The Hamilton County Veterans Court also had three graduates this summer.
One of the tasks the Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs is charged with is distributing funds to various organizations seeking to combat alcohol and drug use. Funds come from fees assessed to individuals convicted of drug and alcohol charges. The Council screens the requests before sending them to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for final approval. Recent grant recipients include:
- The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program. The Sheriff’s Office instructs DARE to nearly 400 fifth grade students in four schools in the county.
- The Noblesville Parks Department Safe Halloween event. Each year, the departments sponsors a safe and family friendly party at Halloween.
- The Noblesville Schools Project Truth. Project Truth is an alcohol and drug awareness program presented to students throughout the school system.
- The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Jail’s High School Equivalency Program. Funds received are used to provide need-based scholarships for those taking the high school equivalency test.
- The Lighthouse Ministries recovery program. The organization provides housing and programing for those in need of recovery services.
The Hamilton Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, along with the many members who are involved with the Council, remains committed to a multi-prong approach to reducing alcohol and drug use in the county. A positive, proactive education to prevent the start of drug use as well as assistance in providing recovery services to those already in the spiral of addiction help combat the issues facing many in the community.
Click here for additional information concerning the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs. You may also contact Executive Director Monica Greer by calling (317) 776-8429 or by emailing monica.greer@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
About the Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs
The Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs is a team dedicated to preventing and reducing alcohol and illegal drug use in Hamilton County. Comprised of members spanning a broad cross section of public and private agencies and organizations, the Council meets regularly to provide resources and funding on the topics of alcohol and drugs. The primary goals of the group focus on prevention and education, intervention and treatment and criminal justice.