Lenawee County Hosting Virtual Book Read To Combat Opioid Crisis

Lenawee County Hosting Virtual Book Read To Combat Opioid Crisis

Introduction

Lenawee County is taking steps to raise opioid awareness about substance use disorder (SUD), reduce stigma, and promote recovery within the community.

To achieve these goals, the county is organizing a virtual community book reading event featuring "The Least of Us" by Sam Quinones. This event will include a virtual discussion via Zoom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on October 2, and the book is readily available at local libraries and major online book retailers.

In "The Least of Us," Quinones delves into the aftermath of the opioid epidemic, providing a follow-up to his best-selling book, "Dreamland." He shares stories of community recovery and repair. In "Dreamland," Quinones traveled across Mexico and the United States to portray the opioid epidemic. He was among the first to recognize the emerging dangers, including the production of synthetic drugs by a new generation of drug lords. These traffickers mixed fentanyl, an extremely potent painkiller, into substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. Simultaneously, Mexican traffickers made methamphetamine more affordable and potent, contributing to widespread mental illness and homelessness in the U.S.

This community book reading coincides with the efforts of Lenawee County's Community Development Coordinator, who is collaborating with community partners and local universities to develop the Lenawee County Opioid Action Plan. This plan will determine how the county allocates funds received from opioid settlement lawsuits against major pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers, and retailers. The plan's objectives include reducing overdose deaths, establishing sustainable care for those with SUD, and enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals. The coordinator has engaged with organizations like the Michigan Association of Counties, conducted community surveys, and hosted town hall meetings as part of this initiative.

Lenawee County has already received over $500,000 from settlements related to a class action lawsuit against major pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers. It is expected to receive $1,570,858 from a settlement involving pharmacy chains and additional manufacturers, with funds continuing to be disbursed through 2040.

While making progress, Lenawee County acknowledges that it lags behind neighboring counties like Washtenaw in terms of facilities, programs, and services for individuals with SUD and co-occurring disorders.

In addition to these efforts, a new Lenawee County chapter of the nonprofit organization Families Against Narcotics (FAN) has recently been established. FAN, originally based in Macomb County, focuses on educating the community about addiction, reducing stigma surrounding SUD, and working to prevent narcotics-related deaths and recidivism within the criminal justice system for those with SUD. FAN hosts public forums at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Adrian District Library in downtown Adrian. These forums provide education on addiction and recovery and offer support and fellowship for individuals and families affected by SUD, all free of charge.