VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – An informational meeting on Harm Reduction and Syringe Services will be held tonight (June 27th) in the Hi Liner Activity Center in Valley City.
City County Health Director Theresa Will said the focus of the meeting centers on ROPES (Rural Opioid Prevention Education and Support) which includes the Syringe Services Program to prevent and reduce the progression of substance misuse and strengthen harm reduction and treatment services in the community.
The informational meeting will also gather public input tonight (June 27th) starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Hi-Liner Activity Center in Valley City.
The following is a news release:
City-County Health District is holding a public forum to introduce the ROPES Project. An informational meeting is planned for the community Thursday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hi-Liner Activity Center. This meeting will focus on the ROPES (Rural Opioid Prevention Education and Support) Project goals (which include a Syringe Services Program) to prevent and reduce the progression of substance misuse and infectious disease; create opportunities for better health by reducing the stigma surrounding addiction; and strengthen harm reduction, treatment and recovery capacity at the community level. Following this meeting, the North Dakota Department of Health will need to approve the proposed syringe services plan to proceed.
The ROPES Project is a federally-funded grant program using evidence-based practices to better serve people affected by Substance Use Disorder.
“Public Health and harm reduction share overlapping principles,” said Theresa Will, Administrator at City-County Health District. “These principles include health protection, health improvement and healthcare services. The ROPES Project creates opportunities for better health by providing stigma-free health services for people who use drugs,” said Will.
Both city and county commissions offered their full support to the ROPES Project, including recovery/peer support services, medication assisted treatment (MAT), and syringe services. These programs are also supported locally by law enforcement, CHI Mercy Health, Sanford Clinic, Family HealthCare in Fargo/Valley City, F5 Project, and South Central Human Service Center.
The public is invited to learn more and participate in the question and answer session with project partners on Thursday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hi-Liner Activity Center. Call 701-845-8518 for more information.