KSAAT highlights achievements during annual meeting

At its recent annual meeting, KSAAT highlighted key achievements over the past year: drug take-back days and expanding prison services, among others.

KSAAT, the Knox Substance Abuse Action Team, started 10 years ago and "provides an environment for concerned parents, youth, local agencies and those in recovery a place to identify gaps that affect the citizens of Knox County and create solutions collectively," according to a press release.

During drug take-back days in fall 2020 and spring 2021, the group collected 231.4 pounds of medications, and a new collection box was installed in the Danville Police Department.

The opioid recovery sub-committee received a three-year federal grant to expand dental services and medication-assisted treatment to inmates, increased access to Narcan and added staff to agencies offering alternative treatment and therapy.

The group welcomed new executive committee members Dr. Afet Kilinc, executive/clinical director of the Freedom Center, and Katie Steel, family and community advocate, New Directions.

KSAAT provided guidance to the Drug Offendeer Reform ACT (DORA) committee to ensure Knox County establishes funding for prevention and education to business establishments. The proposal includes:

• Establishments would require their servers to compete online/in-person alcohol server knowledge and bystander intervention training to help maintain safety in the community. Certificates will be held in employee files (trainings are scheduled through New Directions).
• All DORA events will feature six prevention signs (KSAAT members will design) located throughout the event space.
• DORA event coordinators are to set aside $1 per cup for local prevention efforts. Establishments will report sales to Main Street Mount Vernon.

The recommendations made by KSAAT will ensure prevention funding for the future.

Other activities throughout the year included:

• LIVE SOBER T-shirt distribution.
• United Way and KSAAT Know Your Limit for Alcohol Awareness Month.
• International Overdose Awareness Day.
• Radio ads are broadcast.
• Hidden in Plain Sight events are now available virtually.

The Teen Advisory Council (in partnership with New Directions) held 43 meetings, created a Be Kind campaign that included suicide prevention social media messaging, held a Virtual Youth Leadership Day hosting 33 participants, created billboards with over 127,000 weekly impressions and hosted an in-person color run with 360+ participants. Teen Advidsory Council members are continuously learning leadership skills and how to help their peers.

The next KSAAT conference is tentatively scheduled for June 7-8, 2022.