In an effort to raise awareness about the devastating impact of opioid addiction, the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) will host its next Substance Use Prevention & Treatment Community Conversation – “The Deadly Truth” on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The virtual event will provide first-hand accounts from individuals in recovery, strategies for substance abuse prevention, and barrier-free ways to access treatment.

“The Deadly Truth” will also include input from subject-matter experts who will provide guidance to families of substance abusers or individuals seeking help for themselves by discussing how to recognize the problem.

“This Substance Use Prevention & Treatment Community Conversation is an important opportunity for BHDD to collaborate with community partners to reach some of the most vulnerable groups in our county,” stated Lynnette Allen, Fulton County Opioid Coordinator. “Despite the rising cases of overdoses, there is still strength in numbers when it comes to combatting this epidemic. We must all play a role in helping our citizens by focusing on prevention, availability of resources, and increased access to care.”

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 932,364 Americans died from drug overdoses from 1999 - 2020. In addition, drug addiction is the fourth largest cause of death in our country, surpassed by only heart disease, cancer and most recently – COVID-19.

“At the end of the day, we are committed to ensuring that people have immediate access to barrier-free services,” said LaTrina Foster, director of Fulton County BHDD. “Taking that first step towards recovery is hard; therefore, when a person makes that decision, we need them to know that we are here, available, and ready to serve.”

For more information about the Substance Use Prevention & Treatment Community Conversation – “The Deadly Truth”, please call the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities at (404) 613-7013, or email Lynnette Allen at: lynnette.allen@fultoncountyga.gov.