News

$20,000 Grant Supports Drug Addiction Education
Dec 2, 2015

Pictured above, Lakeland Health representatives present the check to the "Voice Change Hope" organizers. From left: Lt. Melinda Logan (Michigan State Police), Carol Stockman (community member), Sheriff Paul Bailey (Berrien County Sheriff), Dr. Loren Hamel (Lakeland Health President and CEO), Lt. Randy Miller (Berrien County Sheriff’s Department), David Burghart (Lakeland Health Foundations), Shannon Larry-Burton (Berrien County Health Department), Robin Ross (community member), Lisa Peeples-Hurst (Berrien County Health Department), Kerri Teachout (Berrien County Health Department), Dr. Rick Johansen (Berrien County Medical Director), Kelly Laesch (Berrien County Sheriff’s Department), Rev. Tom Batsky (community member), Michelle Warren (HarborTown Treatment Center). 

(ST. JOSEPH) – Lakeland Health has awarded a $20,000 grant in support of a series of educational conferences on prescription drug and heroin addiction. The funds were provided through the Lakeland Health Foundations’ Community Wellness Endowment, which is designed to help community organizations that promote health and wellness initiatives in southwest Michigan.

The Berrien County Health Department applied for the grant, which will be used to directly support the work of many community members collaborating on this project, including representatives from the Michigan State Police, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Lakeland Health, the Berrien Community Foundation, and Families Against Narcotics. 

“This program is an ideal fit with the goal we had in mind when we set up the Community Wellness Endowment – to support services that have a real impact on the health of our friends and neighbors in southwest Michigan,” said David Burghart, President of the Lakeland Health Foundations and Vice President of Philanthropy, Lakeland Health. “By awarding this grant, we will help our community partners continue to raise awareness of the prescription drug and heroin epidemic, and find new ways to help those who have been affected.”  

The program began with the first-ever “Voice Change Hope” conference on prescription drug and heroin addiction, which was held in August at St. Joseph High School. The all-day event drew about 350 attendees, including healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, educators, and other local residents, who learned about the prescription drug and heroin epidemic and how the community can support the recovery of those struggling with addiction.

Statistics provided by the presenters showed that in recent years, Berrien County has ranked in the top five counties in Michigan for heroin overdose. The grant will support additional conferences and education on addictions.          

“With the recent increase in heroin and opioid painkiller related deaths, it is imperative that we continue to work as a community to address all the factors contributing to this issue,” said Kerri Teachout, Substance Abuse Prevention Supervisor at the Berrien County Health Department. “Together, our partnership of stakeholder organizations and committed citizens can bring greater awareness to the problem of substance abuse, enhance the systems supporting those struggling with addiction, and ultimately improve our community’s health.”

For information about future drug addiction conferences, call (269) 683-4411 ext. 649.