Responding to the Substance Use Crisis in North Carolina’s Rural Coastal Communities

Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina and Eastern AHEC to Host Conference.

Join Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina and Eastern AHEC for “Responding to the Substance Use Crisis in North Carolina’s Rural Coastal Communities” Conference on September 19 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm located at The Elizabeth and Doug Townsend Event Hall & Grand Foyer and Bill and Beth Henderson Gallery at the Carteret Community College Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center Facility, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC.

North Carolina’s rural coastal communities have been uniquely affected by the escalating opioid and substance use crisis, where limited access to care, limited treatment resources, and stigma present daily challenges for individuals and families. Join us for a dynamic conversation grounded in lived experience, evidence-based solutions, and collaborative leadership.

“Welcome and Opening Remarks” will be led by Chief Executive Officer, Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina, John Sotirkys,II. Additional remarks will be shared by Senator Norm Sanderson, NC Senate District 2 and Congressman Greg Murphy, NC District 3.

“Assessing the State of Substance Use and Mental Health Crisis in North Carolina” will be addressed by Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director, North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services.

Continuing through the morning, “Promising Strategies: What is Working at the City and County Level North Carolina Rural and Coastal” will include Town Mayors Panel Facilitator: Michelle Laws, PhD, Mayor E. Kirk Rivers, Elizabeth City, Mayor Sharon Harker, Beaufort, Mayor Jeffrey Odham, New Bern, and Mayor Gerald Jones, Morehead City.

To follow, conference participants will learn from a panel addressing “Responsive Law Enforcement: How Law Enforcement is Helping to Drive Recovery Solutions Panel of North Carolina.” The Sheriff’s facilitator: Sheriff Charles Blackwood, Orange County and speakers include Sheriff Ruffin, Bertie County, Sheriff Hughes, Craven County, Sheriff Thomas, Onslow County Shatarra Williams, Rehabilitation and Reentry Coordinator for the Eastern Region, Department of Adult Corrections.

Lunch will be provided and during the lunch break, participants will enjoy a photography slideshow representing various programs with the opportunity to network.

The first afternoon session includes “The Synergy Between Providers and Policy Leaders: Best Practices and Promising Strategies.” The facilitator: Michelle Laws, PhD, with speakers, Maggie Sauer, MHA, Director, Office of Rural Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Christie Edwards, MS, MBA, Chief Operating Officer, Trillium Health Resources, DeDe Severino, MA, Assistant Director, Addictions and Management Operations Team, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Ryan Estes, MBA, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, Chief Operations Officer, Coastal Horizons.

The final session is entitled “Nothing About Us, Without Us Reflections” from Peer Support Specialists. The facilitator: Jamie Tripp, Director of Recovery Services, Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina. Speakers include Benjamin Horton, Director of Outreach, Veteran Services of the Carolinas, Asheville Buncombe Christian Ministries, Hayes Houston, Peer Support Specialist and Outreach Specialist, Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina, Melissa Taylor, Peer Support Specialist and Outreach Specialist, Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina, and Guy Murrell, Program Director, Loaves and Fishes Counseling.

In wrapping up the conference, “Closing Remarks” will be led by John Sotirkys, II, CEO, Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina. Additionally, the closing will include Recognition and Celebration of “Summer Peers On The Beach” with Peer Support Specialists. Door prizes will also be announced. The Benediction will be provided by Gene McLendon, Senior Pastor and Founder, Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina.