Opioid Abatement Committee discuss upcoming grant deadline, Narcan boxes

Members of the Opioid Abatement Committee discuss the possibility of using Narcan boxes for easier access to the public.

Photo/ Rachel Townsend

RACHEL TOWNSEND

Managing Editor

The Opioid Abatement Committee convened briefly on Thursday evening, October 17 to discuss updates regarding grant proposals.

Committee members present during the meeting included Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box, Public Health Director Scott Tims, and Fire Chief James Medling.

Others present included: Jeff Burns of the Dyer County Sheriff’s Department, Laura Burroughs of Dyer County Schools, Dyer County Finance Director Amy Perkins, Dyer County Accounts Manager Cari Jones, and Dyer County Administrative Assistant Beverley Ellington.

While the Committee did not have enough members present to form a quorum for actionable items, they did share updates on submissions and discussed the idea of using some abatement funds to purchase Narcan boxes to be placed at various locations in the city for easy access to those in need.

Tims says the cost of boxes is roughly $250-$500 each and includes signage.

Medling asked that more information be made available at the next meeting.

The deadline for Opioid Abatement grants is rapidly approaching. To date, no proposals have been submitted. The deadline for proposals is October 25. The Committee will reconvene to discuss proposals and scoring on October 29 at 2 p.m. For more information on applying for Opioid Abatement grant funds, please visit https://www.dyercounty.com/request-for-proposal.