PUBLIC NOTICE
Brunswick County Health Services is partnering with Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. to launch a new project to better understand and improve the community’s knowledge, support, and confidence in responding to addiction.
"Addiction is one of the most stigmatized chronic health conditions in the United States," Brunswick County Health Educator Travis Greer said. "Families and individuals affected by the disease often face judgement, isolation, and barriers to treatment due to stigma. We hope this project will help the community to learn more about addiction and how to help those who are struggling."
Community members are invited to participate in phase one of the project by responding to a brief online survey. Individuals will be asked to provide their input on substance use disorders and how addiction has impacted the community. All responses are anonymous, confidential, and no identifiable information will be shared. To take the survey, visit https://bit.ly/467bUNt. The survey will be available through April 27, 2024.
Once the survey closes, substance use and addiction professionals will begin phase two of the project. Professionals will use the survey results to advocate for evidence-based strategies, while also testing new strategies to curb the addiction crisis in Brunswick County.
“Participating in this project reaffirms Brunswick County's commitment to ensuring a supportive and compassionate service exists for individuals and families who are impacted by substance use disorders,” Greer said.
In October 2023, the Addiction Policy Forum launched a nationwide initiative to test and deploy new interventions and resources to combat the addiction crisis. Brunswick County Health Services and Coastal Horizons Center, Inc. were accepted into the spring cohort of this initiative. Brunswick County will be at the forefront of this groundbreaking initiative, actively contributing to testing and evaluating new interventions and tools to measure and reduce stigma in the community.
“Reducing stigma enhances our ability to achieve our mission," Coastal Horizons Brunswick County Program Director Jeremy Seamon said. "If stigma is decreased, individuals with a substance use disorder will feel more confident in seeking the continuum of professional services we provide to promote healthier lives, stronger families, and safer communities.
For more information, please contact Brunswick County Health Educator II Travis Greer at 910.253.2350 or via email.