PCC to Host Substance Abuse Forum on Thursday

WINTERVILLE—Pitt Community College will host a forum Thursday concerning an interim report to the N.C. General Assembly by the N.C. Institute of Medicine Task Force on Substance Abuse Services.

By: News Release | WNCT
Published: September 22, 2008

WINTERVILLE—Pitt Community College will host a forum Thursday concerning an interim report to the N.C. General Assembly by the N.C. Institute of Medicine Task Force on Substance Abuse Services.
Called “Real People. Real Problems. Real Solutions,” the discussion will take place in the William E. Fulford Building auditorium (Room 153) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
During Thursday’s forum, the Pitt County Substance Abuse Coalition and the Eastern North Carolina Council on Substance Abuse will highlight issues pertaining to addiction, including the disease itself, treatment and recovery. The event is open to the public, and, according to a news release, people recovering from addiction, substance abuse professionals, and state and local legislators have been invited to attend.
September is nationally-recognized as “Recovery Month,” an opportunity to spread the message that addiction is an illness that is treatable and one from which people can recover.
For several years, the Eastern N.C. Council on Substance Abuse, in conjunction with the Pitt County Substance Abuse Coalition, has promoted recovery month in Pitt County and elsewhere in the region. The organizations have held a number of community forums to raise awareness of substance abuse, its prevention and treatment.
Difficulties providing treatment for persons suffering from addictions has been a major problem in the mental health reform effort.
So, at the N.C. General Assembly’s request, the N.C. Institute of Medicine established a task force to study the state’s substance abuse service system.
The task force’s report includes a description of the need and availability of substance abuse services in North Carolina as well as recommendations for developing and funding an improved system of care.
Developing community support for the proposals outlined in the report as well as informing legislators of the recommendations and budget implications is viewed as essential to gaining the General Assembly’s support in 2009.
Those who are interested in attending this week’s forum at PCC should call (252) 321-1481.