The Rt. 212 Coalition, a recently formed substance abuse prevention group held its second meeting on February 9, at Bread Alone in Woodstock as Coalition’s creators, Shayna Micucci and Kasandra Quednau guided the creation of Task Force Committees and sought volunteers. About a dozen people attended, willing to sign up.
Following the recent local deaths due to heroin overdoses, Micucci and Quednau formed the group to focus on saving lives and helping those affected by drug abuse. The plan at this point is to connect Route 212 from Phoenicia-to-Saugerties and coordinated all drug prevention resources available.
During the meeting, announcements were made, and a two-page handout was passed around that outlined five committees; publication, events, care packages, education material, and creating a resource manual. “It’s slightly overwhelming when you look at it,” said Quednau, who presented sign up sheets for each committee. Micucci said, “We need help, that is why you are all here!” People signed on where they thought their resources were best utilized, offered ideas and asked questions. Responsibilities within these committees included local media outreach, creating flyers, finding event locations, website maintenance, care packages for people affected by drug addiction, materials, and research. The group agreed to meet monthly.
“I want to stress that we as a coalition can make the biggest impact through building awareness,” Micucci said, “through education, through linking resources, and support of family friends and coworkers and indirect support of an addict.” She explained that eventually they would like to offer direct support to those addicted. “Right now, this is realistic…but eventually we would like to reach the addict themselves and let them know that they have a solid group of people who can, and will have the resources to assist them.”
Saugerties School District Physical Education Teacher Missy Greco attended for the purpose of merging resources. “Our superintendent Seth Turner is very passionate about this and formed a group called, ‘Know-More,’” she said. It was in response to a district Elementary Principal who had a son that succumbed to an overdose. “My purpose is to be a liaison between you (Rt. 212 Coalition) and us, so whatever you need and whatever we need, we can help each other,” said Greco. The Saugerties group has planned an outreach event on April 23, during the opening of Little League season at Cantine Field.
Micucci and Quednau announced that between the Woodstock Jewish Congregation and Family of Woodstock, approximately 130 people were now Narcan trained. It is a drug that could potentially save a person in the event of a heroin overdose. Many stores and municipal buildings in Woodstock now have Narcan in house, including Bread Alone, Woodstock Library, Family of Woodstock, and Provisions.
Upcoming events that were announced
The Rt. 212 Coalition has secured the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Woodstock Library for group support, titled ‘Touched by Addiction.’ Micucci said the program is not faith based, nor is it a 12-step program, but instead offers community outreach to anyone in Ulster County who may have a loved one with a drug addiction. “It’s a community support group and structured that way,” said Micucci. Topics will vary and discussion will be open to the group, “to talk about anything they need to talk about. It’s open to anyone: youth can come, adults can come, family, friends, co-workers, people that are struggling because they have a loved one struggling or they lost a loved one.” First meeting is Wednesday, February 17.
A community educational forum will be held at the Woodstock Town Hall on February 23, at 6:30 p.m. An insurance navigator and advocate will speak on how to go through the insurance system. There will also be a presentation titled, “Drugs 101,” on what is out there in illegal substance and what to look for in addiction. Childcare will be offered at the Community Center with pizza, homework help and games.
Rt. 212 Coalition hopes to have a Community Forum offered monthly on various topics, reaching out to all the communities around 212 in various locations.
ALA-TEEN meetings, open to youth ages 12-to-19, are now taking place 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Overlook United Methodist Church at 233 Route 212 in Woodstock. The meetings are for children affected by a loved one’s problem with alcoholism.
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