Sumner County could possibly get a vital opioid-addiction resource at one of their main hospitals.
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Sumner County could possibly get a vital opioid-addiction resource at one of their main hospitals.
The county commission will decide Monday night whether to fund a “navigator” inside Highpoint Health in Gallatin, among other opioid initiatives around the county. A “navigator” works in essence as a mediator between someone seeking recovery, and the resources that are available for them.
This comes at a time when overdose numbers are getting worse in Sumner County, according to a local substance abuse center.
“It is overwhelming. The numbers that we are seeing are just overwhelming,” said Janet Parrish, Center Director of Volunteer Behavioral Health in Sumner County. “The number of people that are overdosing, it’s very important that the community is educated in regards to, again, what is going on in their community and also the services that are out there.”
No one organization or group can solve the opioid epidemic. But combining local forces to attack the problem? There’s more promise in that approach.
“This $500,000 [budgeted plan] is going to be a partnership between nonprofits, Highpoint Health, and Sumner County,” explained Dustin Owens, Grant Accountant for Sumner County. “We’re trying to free up bed space and also help those in need to improve their quality of life.”
“Nine times out 10, just a general saying there, people are not going to come back to get help if they can’t get it right then,” said Nathan Miller with Volunteer Behavioral Health.
Additional funds in Sumner County’s opioid combat plan would go towards an outdoor Naloxone Vending Machine, which gives free medication to help those who overdose, along with other addiction resources.
Long-term, Sumner County officials hope this opioid proposal can lead to a sustained, self-sufficient addiction recovery system.
To learn where you can dispose of unneeded medications, click here.