Mission

A county free of unaddressed substance use concerns.

Vision

To provide a coordinated approach of all available community resources, public and private, to address and reduce substance use concerns through the promotion of prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Workgroup Goals

  • Data Collection: Increase accurate, relevant, and current local data that will be used to increase community awareness of and support informed decision-making to decrease the negative impact of substance use in St. Clair County.
  • Community Education: Create a public awareness and education marketing campaign to promote awareness of substance use concerns, with a focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery.
  • Resources & Support: Identify, assess, and promote current resources and support for people who have a concern regarding substance use and recovery.

2023 Collaborative Accomplishment

  • Made presentations to organizations about the scope and mission of the workgroup, broadening their understanding of its goals.
  • Initiated the Overdose Fatality Review Team, led by the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), to analyze local overdose deaths, our local team will formally commence case discussions in early 2024. Recommendations arising from the committee aim to prevent further overdose deaths.
  • Established the Opioid Settlement Task Force to prioritize ideas for using opioid settlement funds to enhance services for people in treatment, recovery, and for prevention. These priorities will serve as suggestions to the County Opioid Settlement Committee.
  • Sponsored a virtual town hall on August 31st, on International Overdose Day. Supported by an MDHHS grant, the event featured a panel discussion with individuals with lived experiences, medical and mental health professionals, and law enforcement. Streamed live on CSCB’s Facebook and recorded for future viewing, this town hall aimed to raise community awareness and share resources.
  • Strategies outlined in the 2023-2027 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) focusing on Substance Abuse align with the goals of this workgroup. With overlapping membership between the two committees, collaboration ensures support without duplicating efforts.
  • The annual Recovery Summit concluded on September 29th, featuring workgroup members as presenters covering diverse topics and specialties. Professionals attending any of the one-hour workshops could acquire continuing education credits, enhancing their expertise.

Chair: Ken Heuvelman, Odyssey House
Staff Support: Amy Smith, St. Clair County Community Mental Health

2024 Meeting Calendar

Substance Use Prevention Treatment & Recovery meets the fourth Wednesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Meetings are be held at Blue Water Recovery Outreach Center (BWROC). 

  • February 28, 2024
  • April 24, 2024
  • June 26, 2024
  • August 28, 2024
  • October 23, 2024
  • December 18, 2024

Printable Meeting Calendar

Videos

St. Clair County Virtual Town Hall on Substance Abuse in our Community Post COVID 19