Sheriff Sheds Light on Fentanyl Crisis with Town Hall Discussion
(Lilly Crossley, May 4, 2024)
Pontiac, MI – On April 16th, Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard hosted a discussion panel with the topic “Fentanyl Crisis.” As the discussion began, Sheriff Bouchard explained right away that this topic is important because it’s one that “a lot of people don’t know much about and somehow they think they do, and it’s a topic, in my opinion, that affects everyone.”
The panel included experts on the topic, some that became experts “not by a path that they chose, but because they were tragically impacted by the impact of the loss of a loved one or friend,” Sheriff Bouchard described.
The members of the panel were Chris Perry, Executive Director of the James Daniels Foundation, Steve Norris, Director of Harm Reduction/Recovery Support at the Alliance of Coalitions, Megan Phillips, Director of SUD Services for Oakland Community Health Network, Chief James Gallagher from the Bloomfield Township Police Department, and Orville Green, the Special Agent in charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division.
While Sheriff Bouchard mentioned how many parents struggle with the loss of their child from substance abuse and overdose, Chris Perry brought in the perspective of children that have lost a parent for the very same reason. Perry’s discussion explained how everyone is affected by this topic, not just adults.
Chief James Gallagher also emphasized how overdoses “affect every single person along the way, and we’re the ones responding and seeing it on a daily basis,” so witnessing these tragedies in person was one major reason as to why this discussion was held.
One of the major problems is that people buy illicit pills that they think are prescription opioids, only to find they are heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine mixed with fentanyl which cheaper, easier to acquire, and more dangerous. Sheriff Bouchard said that so far this year there have been 79 overdose deaths, most of which involved fentanyl.
Along with the factual evidence of the deaths Fentanyl overdose has caused in the last few years, something that really helped showcase these tragedies were the powerful testimonies from attendees that had lost their loved ones.
Whether it was children or parents that suffered, or even a doctor that had lost patients, these personal experiences really showcased the tragic and emotional impacts overdoses can have, and these attendees being residents from the community reveals how close these tragedies can happen to us any day. Substance abuse prevention is very important for everyone to be aware of, and each member of this discussion contributed valuable information for those to become more educated on this topic.
To watch the full panel discussion, click here.
Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities has been working to install Save a Life stations across the county, which contain fentanyl testing kits as well as Narcan and resources for those seeking help with substance use issues. For all Save a Life Box locations, visit this INTERACTIVE MAP. To learn more about Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, check out their website at https://achcmi.org/.
