December 2, 2021 4:13pm Temp: 50° (forecast) Home I Want to... About Stafford Government Services Meetings & Events Pictures Contact Stafford Coalition Against Drug Abuse OVERVIEW AND MISSION: The Stafford Coalition Against Drug Abuse – SCADA - is an active alliance working to reduce and prevent substance use and abuse in the Town of Stafford and neighboring communities. A collaboration of all community sectors - parents, youth, clergy, family and social service personnel, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, school officials, and others – the coalition focuses on prevention strategies, engagement activities, education outreach, and synchronizes resources to reduce the harmful effects of substance abuse and addiction on individuals, families, and children. The group works together to promote and sustain a healthy community, utilizing evidence-based data to reduce the demand and use of drugs and alcohol. IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP NOW - CALL 9-1-1 Always dial 911 in an emergency IF YOU NEED HELP OR INFORMATION NOW - CALL 2-1-1 Crisis Intervention Hotline United Way 2-1-1 is a free health and human service information and referral helpline. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 is certified by the American Association of Suicidology for crisis intervention and accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. If you are outside of Connecticut or have a problem using the 2-1-1-number, dial 1-800-203-1234 OVERDOSE REVERSAL INFORMATION Opioid Overdose Reversal with Naloxone (Narcan, Evzio) Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist - meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications. In Stafford Narcan can be purchased at Big Y, Rite Aid and CVS. [Learn More] GET INFORMED General Information About Opiates and Opiate addiction: How Opiates Affect the Body All opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused (taken in a different way or in a larger quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctor’s prescription). Regular use - even as prescribed by a doctor - can lead to dependence and, when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to addiction, overdose incidents, and deaths. [Learn More] Prescription Opioids Some prescription opioids are made from the plant directly, and others are made by scientists in labs using the same chemical structure. Opioids are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. Opioids can also make people feel very relaxed and high - which is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. This can be dangerous because opioids can be highly addictive, and overdoses and death are common. [Learn More] Heroin Heroin is one of the world's most dangerous opioids, and is never used as a medicine in the United States. It is processed from morphine and extracted from certain poppy plants. Heroin comes in a white or brownish powder, or a black sticky substance known as "black tar heroin." Often "cut" with other drugs or substances such as sugar or powdered milk. User is unaware how much actual heroin is being used, creating likelihood of overdose. [Learn More] What to Look For Opioid (and other drug additions) often involve common and easy to overlook items. Learn the physical warning signs of drug addiction. [Visit Site] Signs of Opioid Abuse Opioid use comes with a variety of unwanted effects, including drowsiness, inability to concentrate, and apathy. Negative effects also include: slowed physical activity, constriction of the pupils, flushing of the face and neck, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and slowed breathing. [Learn More] Getting Help for an Overdose in Connecticut. In 2011, a "good Samaritan law" (Public Act 11-210) was passed in an attempt to address people’s unwillingness to call 911 for an overdose situation. This law protects people who call 911 seeking emergency medical services for an overdose from arrest for possession of drugs/paraphernalia. [Learn More] Treatment Options The treatment system for substance use disorders is comprised of multiple service components including the following: Individual and group counseling, Inpatient and residential treatment, Intensive outpatient treatment, Partial hospital programs, Case or care management, Medication, Recovery support services, 12-Step fellowship, Peer supports. A person accessing treatment may not need to access every one of these components, but each plays an important role. [Learn More] GET INVOLVED Prevention Resources: Family Checkup: Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse This publication presents evidence-based information developed by the Child and Family Center at the University of Oregon. It highlights parenting skills that are important in preventing the initiation and progression of drug use among youth. [Download Resource] Talking Points for Children of All Ages This brochure contains talking points for children of all ages - from preschool through high school. [Download Brochure] Tobacco Use Prevention Information: Information from Family Services and Adult Education about the Connecticut Initiative about Student Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). It includes a list of Tobacco Use Prevention Resources. [Learn More] GET HELP Treatment Resources: Connecticut DMHAS Access Line: DMHAS has established the 24/7 Access Line to facilitate access to substance abuse treatment. Individuals from anywhere in Connecticut may call 1-800-563-4086 to help with linkage to residential detox. [Visit Website] Connecticut DMHAS Bed Availability: The Connecticut Addiction Services website was developed to help people in Connecticut get timely access to detox, residential addiction treatment and recovery house beds. [Visit Website] SAMHSA Treatment Locators The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website was developed to help find alcohol, drug, or mental health treatment facilities and programs around the country. Find the treatment you need where you need it with these treatment locators: Opioid Treatment Program Directory Buprenorphine (Suboxone) Treatment Practitioner Locator LiveLOUD - Life with Opioid Use Disorder OUD (short for Opioid Use Disorder) is a crisis that continues to impact Connecticut. It is an illness that affects people regardless of race, gender, and age. Connecticut has seen the largest increases in opioid-related deaths from 2012-2017. If you or someone you know is struggling with opioids or other substances, you are not alone. LiveLOUD offers ways to connect and get the support you need. Talk to a peer, call for treatment options, connect on social media, or search for 12 step or other support groups in your community. [Visit Website] Local Substance Abuse Treatment Resources: SCADA's resource list brochure which includes local municipal, regional, emergency and other treatment resources related to the opiod epidemic. [Download Resource] CT Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Connecticut's ASBIRT booklet was created for families of teens who have had a substance use screening—to explain the process and provide guidance for moving forward. It's goal is to help you understand adolescent Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and show you where to find SUD public services in Connecticut. [Download Resource] ASSERT Treatment for Youth Up to Age 21 The ASSERT Treatment Model (ATM) is a program that provides youth up to age 21 years old and their families with six months of evidence-based intensive family treatment, medication assisted treatment (MAT), and recovery support services for up to 12 months. [Download Program Information] North Central Regional Mental Health Board Directory of Resources North Central Regional Mental Health Board is a grass-roots community advisory board to DMHAS. Members evaluate state services and promote development of needed services. This resource card is an Emergency & Non-Emergency Telephone Directory for Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Other Services [Download Resource] Transportation for Individuals in Treatment The Rotary Club of Stafford Conn. has been able to establish a fund which will enable citizens who are in need of transportation to rehab facilities and /or meth clinics to receive such transportation free of charge. Upon successful screening they would hire a ride service and draw the money from the Rotary Rides to Rehab fund enabling the recipient to get to and from treatment. [Learn More] GET MORE INFORMATION Community Resources: Connecticut Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis: This Connecticut state program aims to address the opioid crisis by increasing access to treatment, reducing unmet treatment need, and reducing opioid overdose related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment and recovery activities for opioid use disorder (OUD) (including prescription opioids as well as illicit drugs such as heroin). [Visit Website] Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council: The Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Policy Council (ADPC) is a legislatively mandated body comprised of representatives from all three branches of State government, consumer and advocacy groups, private service providers, individuals in recovery from addictions, and other stakeholders in a coordinated statewide response to alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use and abuse in Connecticut. [Visit Website] Connecticut Opioid Overdose Prevention/Naloxone (Narcan) Initiative: A Connecticut DMHAS program seeking to increase access to naloxone (Narcan) throughout the state. [Visit Website] The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health: Facing Addiction in America - The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [Download Resource] MEETINGS AND EVENTS Upcoming Local Events and Meetings: Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. [Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings] Narcotics Anonymous Meetings Narcotics Anonymous offers recovery to addicts around the world. They focus on the disease of addiction rather than any particular drug. Their message is broad enough to attract addicts from any social class or nationality. When new members come to meetings, their sole interest is in the individuals desire for freedom from active addiction and how Narcotics Anonymous can be of help [Narcotics Anonymous Meetings] SMART Recovery Family and Friends Meetings SMART Recovery supports individuals who have chosen to abstain, or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviors (substances or activities), by teaching how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions; and to work towards long-term satisfactions and quality of life. [SMART Recovery Family and Friends Meetings] HOPE Success Stories: Local Success Stories A Year of Change Love Wins For My Family How Bad Do You Want to get Clean? Sharing Your Addiction Recovery Story Sharing an addiction recovery story can increase the chances of a successful recovery for both the people sharing and those listening. If your story reaches even one person, you are making a contribution to their addiction recovery success. An essential part of addiction recovery is a sense of community, and sharing helps that happen for everyone involved. If you have a story you would like to share please contact staffordprevention@staffordct.org Warren Memorial Town Hall • 1 Main Street • Primary Department Hours: M-W: 8-4:30, Th: 8-6:30 Town of Stafford Disclaimer of Liability and Nondiscrimination Statement