From Harford County government:
On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the Harford County Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy held its Annual Symposium on Drug Prevention, Intervention and Treatment at Bel Air High School in Bel Air. Two hundred and sixty people attended the event.
This year’s theme, “Where We are Now”, provided information on current issues related to addiction, co-occurring mental health issues, abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, internet safety, sexting, the impact of addiction on the family, and the psychological symptoms of returning service members.
This year’s Symposium featured keynote speaker Joe Ehrmann, Coach for America. He shared his 13 years of experience as a professional football player for the Baltimore Colts and as cofounder of the Ronald McDonald House to help address issues of poverty, systemic racism and social justice. He explained how a game plan for life can help troubled youth transform their lives into one that is productive and rewarding.
According to one participant, “Joe shed new light on how boys think they should act as men and how young girls view themselves as women”. Another participant stated, “The vendors showed me how many resources are available in the county to help deal with issues related to mental health and addiction issues.
Parents, teenagers, caregivers, social workers, probation officers, nurses, educators, and the general public were able to expand their knowledge on issues such as underage drinking, working with the domestic violence victims, as well as the latest trends in drug and alcohol abuse, intervention, prevention and treatment. Program organizers authorized Continuing Education Credits in the field of Prevention, Addictions, and Social Work for the training.
FACE-IT presented the 2014 Symposium in partnership with the Harford County Department of Community Services’ Office of Drug Control Policy, Harford County Public Schools, Father Martin’s Ashley, Gaudenzia,Inc, the Maryland State Police; and Stella Maris. For more information on drug control programs and trainings in Harford County, contact the Harford County Department of Community Services’ Office of Drug Control Policy at 410-638-3333 or www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/drugcontrol.
Again, another do-nothing event sponsored by local government. When everyone goes home after a full day of sitting around talking about the se thing, year after year, what really changes? What new programs are developed to directly assist our youth involved in drugs and to prevent the younger ones from starting?
How many new inpatient treatment beds do we have in this county? We have none.
This group is a ridiculous waste of time and money. With what $ goes to fund the office of drug control policy, think how much treatment we could actually bringby paying a provider to deliver inpatient addiction services. Then, we would finally be doing something worthwhile.
Where we are now? worse off.
We have one of the highest per capita abuse rates in the county yet we have no inpatient treatment. Instead, we send our citizens far away to other counties (if we are lucky to find a bed). The ssubstance abuse treatment system in Harford County is sorely lacking.
I’m so tired of reading about all these great events held with fabulous speakers, recognition events, etc. Let’s actually do somethinng and then maybe it would be appropriate to recognize the accomplishments made in expanding our direct treatment base.
Amen to that the drug problem is off the hook .I have lived through this tragic experience as a mom with my son .I have seen the juvenile system , drug court, pribation dui and so much more .This is devistating to families who are going down tgese paths with a loved one .I’ve known kids who are now dead .I know too many suffering with addiction. I had to find my way with my son from rehabs to halfway houses , duel diagnosis etc in state out of state , in the city in the county . We need more out reach for parents , we need help in thus county desperately .Its a learning exoerience some good some bad .We as a community have a serious probkem on our hands that needs help and support .