President Nate introduced our two speakers today, Kay Ross form Community Mental Health (CMH) and Jennifer Durell from Interconnections. Our club along with the Adrian Morning Club have been working to restore the exterior the building on West Maumee Street from which these two agencies will help people with addiction and mental health issues. Our clubs applied jointly for and were successfully awarded a district grant to help offset work our clubs have been and will continue to do there.Kay Ross, a Customer Service Specialist at CMH and a 29 year veteran, says that substance abuse today is increasing at an epidemic rate! In Lenawee County throughout 2016 alone, there were 16 deaths reported due to overdoses. Thus far in 2017, she said, we have surpassed that number! Attributing to the growth of ODs, she said, were pain killers which is a stepping stone to harder drugs like heroin and others. Another drug introduced of late into society, she said, that is even stronger but deadlier was carfentanil, an elephant tranquilizer. It is so deadly, she said, that if a first responder happened to run to the aid of someone overdosing and they were to come into contact with the powder on the user’s body without protection, it would kill them! That’s how strong this new drug on the scene is!
This growing illegal drug situation initiated the creation of the new Pathways Engagement Center which will be connected to Interconnections and hopefully opening by the end of September. People addicted to drugs or alcohol, she said, can go there and meet with a Per Recovery Coach. Once opened, the facility will initially be in operation from Friday night about 5-6pm through to Monday morning at 9am. In the future they will provide services during the week in the evenings when other agencies typically are closed. From there they would like to be a 24/7 agency within one year. People can walk in off the street and counselors can visit with them and discuss a recovery plan if appropriate. They can take a shower at the facility and get a meal but will not be able to stay overnight. Assessments can be done and referrals will be made for detox programs or any number of professionally-staffed in-patient locations.
Kay said that 95% of people with a drug or alcohol addiction also have a mental illness (behavioral disorder) and that’s where Interconnections comes in, she said. Next door to where Pathways will be and separated by only a wall will be the agency called Interconnections who have served this community for over 25 years and specialize in dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. Jen Durell, Executive Director of Interconnections spoke next. She said that they provide support groups, recovery coaches, and peer support – people who have been through similar situations and are trained professionally to handle these types of cases. Our own Greg Adams was a person mentioned who also serves with Nate on the CMH board and for his involvement with the Interconnections organization. Thanks ladies for enlightening us as to the help that you are making available tom people in need.