CARTERET COUNTY, NC (April 29, 2024) – The Carteret County Health Department (CCHD) Post Overdose Response Team (PORT), in partnership with the Peer Recovery Center of Carteret County, is hosting the “Safe Summer Cookout” event on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place at the Peer Recovery Center in Morehead City and coincides with National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
The “Safe Summer Cookout” aims to create a supportive environment for families impacted by substance use while offering valuable resources and information about the dangers of fentanyl. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, and refreshments, while engaging in conversations about substance use prevention.
"We recognize the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and providing support for those affected by substance use," said Brooke Barnhill, PORT team manager at CCHD. "The 'Safe Summer Cookout' provides an opportunity for our community to come together, learn, and support each other in combating substance use disorder.”
In addition to food, the event will feature raffle prizes, testimonials from individuals whose lives have been saved by Narcan, and resource tables from various organizations offering information about treatment programs, support services, and strategies for preventing substance use disorders. Special guest speakers include Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck and Morehead City Mayor Jerry Jones. Carteret County Emergency Services will also be there to offer Narcan demonstrations, empowering community members to become lifesavers.
The PORT team is available 7 days a week at 252-247-1129 to help individuals find treatment options. In the event of a suspected overdose, call 911 immediately. Resource providers interested in this event should contact Barnhill by noon on Friday, May 3 at 252-247-1129 or brooke.barnhill@carteretcountync.gov.
For more information on combating substance use disorder, visit the CDC website and for details on Carteret County's fight against the opioid epidemic, visit carteretcountync.gov/2259/Carteret-CARES. Learn more about fentanyl and National Fentanyl Awareness Day at https://www.fentanylawarenessday.org/.
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