The mission of the Lincoln County Drug Prevention and Recovery (LC DP&R) Coalition is to engage professional and lay leaders from across the county to collaboratively develop and conduct programs that:  (1) prevent the onset of addictive and mind-altering substances, (2) assure the adoption of safe opioid prescribing practices, (3) promote comprehensive drug treatment and mental health services for all persons in need, (4) develop and enhance local resources to reduce stigma and build whole-person wellness to enhance caring, hope, and compassion for affected persons, and (5) promote and deliver professional and community education in support of these outcomes.

The LC DP&R Coalition’s goals are to:

1. Reduce the incidence of substance use and misuse.
2. Raise community awareness of substance misuse problems and solutions in Lincoln County.
3. Identify and plan activities to expand treatment and linkage needs to include ongoing recovery.
4. Reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder.
5. Train and prepare the community in the administration of naloxone.
6. Promote hope, support, and integrated healthcare to encourage long-term recovery and full lives.
7. Engage the faith community in prevention, recovery, and support activities.
8. Sustain funding for coalition prevention and treatment-related activities.
1. Build the resilience of children who experience trauma as a result of exposure to substance use disorder in the family.
10. Build strong community advocates to address current and emerging substance-related issues.
11. Document activities and programs to measure their impact in preventing and treating substance use disorder in Lincoln County.

Due to staff turnover, we do not have a progress report for 2023 regarding the Coalition.

In 2024, the Coalition hosted a Prison to Community Reentry Simulation. This interactive program is designed to help individuals understand the challenges faced by those transitioning from incarceration back into society. Participants engage in scenarios that mimic real-life situations, such as finding housing, securing employment, and accessing healthcare. Through role-playing and guided discussions, the simulation aims to foster empathy, raise awareness, and highlight the importance of support systems and resources available for successful reentry. It often includes insights from formerly incarcerated individuals, community organizations, and criminal justice professionals, providing a comprehensive view of the reentry process and the barriers that can arise.

The Coalition also partnered with Safe Kids & Senior Services of Lincoln County to conduct a ‘Medication Take Back Day,’ during which several pounds of expired medication were properly disposed of, ensuring a safer environment for all.

Additionally, the Coalition held a workshop with the Faith Community, where participants explored how to navigate and respond to the opioid crisis through a faith-based approach. In collaboration with the Department of Social Services, the Coalition hosted a training series that focused on supporting children affected by substance use in the context of foster and kinship caregiving.