Statewide assistance program opens for families dealing with opioid abuse

Statewide assistance program opens for. Statewide assistance program opens for families dealing with opioid abuse.

Key points

• In the first year of End It For Good's program, 10 backing groups are planned to reach 200 families.
• From 16-0 down to 41-34 win at South Carolina in SEC opener.
• "While I appreciate his input, it carries no legal authority, " House Education Chairman Rob Roberson remarked Friday.
• Attorney General offers proposed uses for $188.9 million in Meta settlement funding.
• President Trump welcomes Mississippi's Reeves, other governors to Oval Office for Medicaid announcement.

In the first year of End It For Good's program, 10 backing groups are planned to reach 200 families. Funding for the program comes from the Opioid Settlement Fund.

Families affected by the abuse of opioids or other forms of substance abuse in Mississippi are encouraged to pre-register for an upcoming statewide backing program that will be available in-person and virtually.

Notably, the program is part of the work by End It For Good, a non-profit that uses evidence-based methods to address drug addiction.

Starting Monday, families throughout the state can pre-register for substance apply disorder skills training and backing groups. The first three online skills training modules will commence in the middle of November, with nine more modules and backing group meetings slated for early 2027.

"As a mother who has supported her son through many years of struggle, " remarked Christi Berrong-Barber. "I often felt alone. We spend a lot of time talking regarding how to assist the person struggling, but we don't always recognize that their family needs backing, too. I believe this program will support families feel less alone and provide them practical tools to navigate the challenges of substance employ disorder."

Notably, the modules and backing groups will include "practical guidance, evidence-based skills training, and peer connection" for participants.

Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) will be the basis for the curriculum. It utilizes a behavioral science framework.

Backing group meetings will be available throughout the state, with in-person meetings offered in higher populations areas such as the Jackson metro and on the Gulf Coast. Those who live in rural areas or have difficulty attending meetings can attend the backing groups virtually. The goal is to hold 10 backing groups that will reach 200 family members in the first year. Intends to expand the number of backing groups into 2027 are underway.

"The program will equip family members with tools including how to reinforce healthy behavior, reduce reinforcement of substance use, utilize strategic communication, and improve family wellbeing, " remarked Family Backing Services Director Michelle Grawe. Pre-registration can be completed here.

Funding for the program comes from the Opioid Settlement Fund. Under HB 1924, End It for Good received $200, 000 for the purpose of providing "evidence based family and community support services in the state, including skills training and to facilitate regular meetings of peer support groups." Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

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Taken together, the developments around statewide assistance program opens for families dealing with opioid abuse point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.