Sally Elliott, Director Stokes County Operations Forsyth Technical Community College, shares information about the opportunities and programs available to residents at the Stokes County campuses.
News & Updates
Camp Middle School at Chestnut Grove August 11th and 12th
The transition from elementary school to middle school can be difficult and Camp Middle School is a great opportunity for your rising 6th grader.
CGMS: August 11th and 12th with AM sessions 8:00am-11:30 am and PM sessions 12:30 pm-4:00 pm
Registration for CGMS: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlZGyfAvZ0QgozZOXJ8pH9nn6XhKT8m0YE3mf8uOTFJ7_faQ/viewform
Insight Human Services is providing the Camp Middle School program that will ease the transition to middle school. Insight will host students for two days at the middle school they will be attending. They will provide students with information about the school, allow them to participate in fun activities and games and provide them the opportunity to meet their classmates and make new friends.
Make sure to register for the 2021 Camp Middle School so your child is better prepared for middle school this fall.
For more information contact Sean Halstead at 336-406-8804
Camp Middle School at Southeastern Stokes August 9th and 10th
The transition from elementary school to middle school can be difficult and Camp Middle School is a great opportunity for your rising 6th grader.
SSMS: August 9th and 10th 8:00 am-11:30 am
Registration link for SSMS: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjxRYu6FOrSrMsht6SNpCMsajI8uJdNrzNcjJ48ckmVh3p9g/viewform
Insight Human Services is providing the Camp Middle School program that will ease the transition to middle school. Insight will host students for two days at the middle school they will be attending. They will provide students with information about the school, allow them to participate in fun activities and games and provide them the opportunity to meet their classmates and make new friends.
Make sure to register for the 2021 Camp Middle School so your child is better prepared for middle school this fall.
For more information contact Sean Halstead at 336-406-8804
Camp Middle School at Piney Grove August 3rd and 4th
The transition from elementary school to middle school can be difficult and Camp Middle School is a great opportunity for your rising 6th grader.
PGMS: August 3rd and 4th , 8:00 am-11:30 am Registration link for PGMS: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5con8dQvLkjQ9Xw26u-DjayRselV2OwWxcTLXsX60dFjkow/viewform
Insight Human Services is providing the Camp Middle School program that will ease the transition to middle school. Insight will host students for two days at the middle school they will be attending. They will provide students with information about the school, allow them to participate in fun activities and games and provide them the opportunity to meet their classmates and make new friends.
Make sure to register for the 2021 Camp Middle School so your child is better prepared for middle school this fall.
For more information contact Sean Halstead at 336-406-8804
Underage Drinking is Common and Dangerous
“The alcohol industry has said they don’t want minors to drink, but when we counted up the drinks, it was clear that they were making billions of dollars from these sales,” said lead study author Pamela Trangenstein, PhD, assistant professor of health behavior at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. “There is a clear disconnect when an industry advocates prevention, but then makes billions from prevention’s failure.”
The tab for underage drinkers came to $17.5 billion, or 8.6 percent of the alcoholic drinks sold in 2016, according to a new study that showed alcohol companies AB Inbev, MillerCoors and Diageo captured nearly half of the market of youth alcohol sales.
The study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Johns Hopkins University and Boston University is one of the few to capture how much money is made from youth alcohol consumption. And for the first time, researchers were able to attribute those revenues to specific companies.
Identifying popular alcohol brands bolsters a unique strategy: using revenues generated from youth alcohol sales to support underfunded programs to address teen drinking.
Excessive drinking is responsible for 3,500 deaths of those under age 21 each year.
“The alcohol industry has said they don’t want minors to drink, but when we counted up the drinks, it was clear that they were making billions of dollars from these sales,” said lead study author Pamela Trangenstein, PhD, assistant professor of health behavior at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. “There is a clear disconnect when an industry advocates prevention, but then makes billions from prevention’s failure.”
The behavioral expert at Gillings led the study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, along with lead study author Raimee Eck, PhD, a researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Data collected in a landmark report of youth alcohol consumption by brand enabled the authors to calculate the monetary value of youth alcohol consumption in 2011 and 2016. According to their findings, alcohol sales to minors, driven mostly by beer-drinking, reached $20.9 billion in 2011.
While underage consumption has been falling in recent years, alcohol is still the most commonly used substance among youth ages 12-20 in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If alcohol companies are truly committed to preventing youth drinking, they should be willing to put these revenues into an independent agency able to address underage drinking without a conflict of interest,” said study co-author David Jernigan, PhD, director of the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Boston University and a health behavior researcher at Johns Hopkins.
The Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, the science advisory body for Congress, made a recommendation in their 2003 report on underage drinking to collect .05 percent of revenues made from underage drinking.
In 2006, Congress passed unanimously the first legislation solely devoted to reducing underage drinking. While that legislation authorized $18 million in spending, Congress has never spent the full amount. In fact, Congress recently made permanent the tax break provided to alcohol companies in the 2017 tax cuts.
“Community coalitions in North Carolina and across the country are constantly begging for dollars to support their work on underage drinking,” said Trangenstein. “Our study identifies a clear source for that badly needed funding. Families and communities are paying the price, while big alcohol companies are reaping all the benefits.”
Journal citation: Eck, R. H., Trangenstein, P. J., Siegel, M., & Jernigan, D. H. (2021). Company-specific revenues from underage drinking. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 82, 368–376. doi:10.15288/jsad.2021.82. 368
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Hidden in Plain Sight: Bedroom Project
The following is a resource for parents and guardians designed to edu.
Hidden in Plain Sight is an educational experience that walks you through a typical teenage bedroom. The inside of the bedroom is set up with drug paraphernalia “Hidden in Plain Sight.” This is an interactive display/program that offers adults insights into current trends in youth substance abuse, drug paraphernalia, concealment of illicit drugs & alcohol. It is designed to educate community members about drug trends, paraphernalia, how to talk to youth about alcohol & drugs, and what to do if a problem is suspected.
If you are a parent or guardian and are wanting to discuss this topic with your teens click here for some talking points that can help.
If you have questions or concerns about possible substance use by your teen please complete this form and we will be in contact.
Connecting Faith Leaders in Stokes County
If a member of your congregation asked,
“Where do you go for addiction/mental health support in Stokes County?”
Would you know what information to share with them?
Stop Overdose Stokes (S.O.S.) is a team of professionals, pastors and volunteers that formed in January of 2019 to engage churches to help reduce overdoses in Stokes County.
We meet second Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm in the fellowship hall of Chestnut Grove UMC. Address is 1024 Volunteer Rd, King and Rev. Dr. Evelyn Lemons chairs this group. Contact her at the church office at 336-983-9657 or by email at evelyn.lemons@gmail.com.
We are a faith-based subcommittee of the Stokes Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities coalition that was founded in 2008. Derrick Vickers is the co-chair of the coalition and can be reached by phone at 336-287-2411 or dvickers@insightnc.org.
Call to Action: Stokes County Churches
Is the Lord calling your church to action because of the crisis we are facing?
Is your congregation concerned with people dying from overdoses in Stokes County?
As the body of Christ our work is to save lives to save souls.
- The professionals who work in this field are asking faith leaders to open your doors and be knowledgeable about resources in Stokes that can support citizens.
- Be aware of mental health and substance use issues in the county. There are free resources offered in Stokes by providers who will come to your church and provide information.
- Talk about what is going on in Stokes County with your congregation. Stigma is the number one barrier we are facing as a community, so talk to your church and engage them on this. Let the congregation know you are willing to have a conversation about this very difficult topic.
- We invite you to put out the suicide prevention cards in your church to let people know your church wants to help people who are suffering.
Faith- Based Recovery Resources in Stokes County
- Willing Vessels: Located in King, offer counseling and support for people in recovery. Pastor Gary Adkins. Counselors Steve and Brenda Wright work with people in recovery. Their church has had great success in helping people in recovery! Contact Steve at swright432@gmail.com or 336-354-7002. Church 336-985-0222 Newest Program Freedom in Light will start in Mid-March 2020. Thursday nights at 7:00 pm.
- Calvary Baptist: Located in King, Friday at 7 pm night, Recovery Program for substance abuse and mental health; recovery program designed to rescue, recover and restore those in addictive behaviors
- Trinity UMC: Located in King, downstairs classroom next to the steps, parking in the back parking lot. AA meets Monday at 7pm and Thursday at 7pm. NA meets on Friday at 8pm.
- Exodus Ministry: Located in King, Exodus Ministries is a Christian mentoring program focusing on breaking destructive generational patterns of addiction, poverty, and abuse through the liberating power of God’s Truths. They offer group and personal ministry sessions to those in need. They offer assistance with entry into rehabs through their Hope Dealer scholarships program. Contact: Tamra Lilly 336-529-8993 or Exodusrestore@gmail.com
- Christ Episcopal Church: Located at 412 Summit Street in Walnut Cove, offers AA Tuesdays at 7pm and Fridays at 12pm. Al-Anon meets Tuesdays at 7pm at white house next to church. For questions contact 336- 406-1596.
- Poplar Springs: Located in King, Celebrate Recovery is a 12 step program for all addictions meets Thursday at 7pm in the education building.
- Harvest Temple Church: Located in King, Nar-Anon for families that have loved ones addicted to drugs meets on Tuesday at 6pm.
- Faith Baptist Church: Located on Flat Shoals Road, offers a jail ministry in Stokes. Working on adding an addiction ministry. Pastor Kenny Heath is also a chaplain for Stokes County Sheriff and can be contacted at 336-994-2400.
- Brown Mountain Baptist: Located in Westfield, Pastor Eddie Carter contact phone 336-593-9597
- Chestnut Grove UMC: Located 1024 Volunteer Rd, King, host the Stop Overdose Stokes meeting on Second Wednesdays at 1:30pm, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Lemons is a chaplain for Stokes County Sheriff Mike Marshall. Contact church office: 336-983-9657 or email at lemons@gmail.com . Rev. Lemons keeps the master list of this information sheet if you have additions or corrections, please contact her to make updates.
- James UMC: Located in Rural Hall. They offer AA meeting and Uptown Group who meet on Wednesday’s at 8pm.
- PALS (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones Support Group): offers Family Support Group at 9am Thursday mornings at Stokes Wellness Center, 3172 HWY 8, Walnut Cove and Thursday evenings at 108 E King St. King to PAL meeting Thursday evenings in King. For more information contact Dianna Altrath at love4artdianna@gmail.com or 336-345-6728.
- Chaplain Rick Hughes, also Stokes County Sheriff Chaplain, support for first responders.336-406-6589
- Dwayne Young, Pastor, New Birth Baptist Church, Walnut Cove. Church location: 6970 Dennis Rd, Phone: 336-283-5005. Dwayne is a volunteer with Stop Overdose Stokes, is retired from EMS Guilford County.
- Sid Lee Memorial Mental Health Association of Stokes County: Located at 530 N. Main St. Walnut Cove NC 27052. Contact person: Mary Lee at 252-542-9333. Mailing address PO 963 Walnut Cove, NC 27052
- Guardians of the Children, Director Daniel Massey helps advocate for children who have been through abuse or neglect. Contact: massey1973@gmail.com 336-618-4707
- Tabitha Ministries: Located in Summerfield. Christian ministry for women seeking to change their lives after prison, recovery from addiction or abusive situations, breaking free from prostitution, or working to overcome a history of abuse or trauma. For more information tabithaministry.com
- Randy Cook, Pastor, Shining Light Baptist 4593 Flat Shoals Road, Germanton, 27019
Also, Pastor of True Light Baptist 5033 NC 704 East, Sandy Ridge, NC 27046
Phone: 336-407-3295.
- Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency. Services Offered: Free Hep-C, HIV and other STI Education and Testing, including In-Home.
Contact Name: Savalas R. Squire Sr., Phone: 336-430-1165 (mobile), 336-274-1507 ext 124 (office). Availability: On-Call based on Client Availability. Address: 1102 E. Market St, Greensboro NC
- Laura Bullins, Stokes County Community Paramedic, 336 593-5409, office.
Home Safety Assessments, Care Coordination, Substance Abuse Resource Navigation,
Mental Health Resource Navigation, Medication Assistance
Transportation Assistance to Medical Appointments, Physical, Mental and Functional Assessments, Medication Reconciliation,, Intensive Case Management
Public Education, Opioid Response Team
Resources for Youth: Avoiding Substance Use
For youth who want to make positive choices and avoid substance use there are links below to support you.
Stokes County Resources for Faith Leaders
Stop Overdose Stokes (S.O.S.) is a team of professionals, pastors and volunteers that formed in January of 2019 to engage churches to help reduce overdoses in Stokes County.
We meet second Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm in the fellowship hall of Chestnut Grove UMC. Address is 1024 Volunteer Rd, King and Rev. Dr. Evelyn Lemons chairs this group. Contact her at the church office at 336-983-9657 or by email at evelyn.lemons@gmail.com.
If you are a faith leader and would like more information related to substance use issues that may affect your congregation click on the links below.
Rural Faith Leaders Workshop Series: Empowering Faith Leaders to Help Persons with Substance Use Disorder
SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCE GUIDE FOR FAITH LEADERS
Alcohol is the most widely used substance due to it’s high availability. Youth who wait until they are 21 to have their first drink are four times less likely to develop alcohol-dependency.
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Alcohol use: Youth and adults
- What is binge drinking?
- Information related to underage drinking.
- Information related to alcohol use by women.
- Information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
- Information related to alcohol use in college.
- How to talk to youth about alcohol use
- Encourage parents of high school youth to talk about about celebrating safely
- Parenting support to prevent childhood alcohol use
- Share the pledge to stop underage drinking
- Alcohol facts and figures: Estimated 95,000 men and women die nationally from alcohol-related causes.
- Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder.
- Alcohol’s effects on the body.
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Marijuana Use: youth and adults
- Marijuana is the most commonly used psychotropic drug in the United States, after alcohol. Learn about the use of marijuana in the U.S.
- What is marijuana?
- Over 10% of 8th graders, more than 22% of 10th graders and almost 28% of 12th graders have reported vaping marijuana at some point.
- Learn the real facts about how marijuana can impact teenagers.
- What are marijuana concentrates, and what do caregivers of youth need to know?
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over-the-counter cough syrup Misuse
- Stanford University report on cough syrup misuse by teens.
- What is DXM and what do you need to know about it?
- Teen slang terms for misusing cough syrup that every caregiver of youth should know.
- Missing cough medicine could be a sign of misuse.
- Encourage parents to make sure they are checking labels of over-the-counter medicines.
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Prescription medication misuse
- Learn about CNS (central nervous system) medications and why they should be secured properly at all times.
- Learn more about prescription opioids and how accidental misuse of opioids can happen to any family. Don’t take medication storage lightly, make sure all prescriptions are securely stored.
- Some people take prescription stimulants to try to improve mental performance. Learn how this is dangerous for teens AND adults to help prevent negative health outcomes.
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prescription opioids and heroin research
- Prescription opioid use is a risk factor for heroin use.
- Prescription opioids and heroin have similar effects but different risk factors.
- Increased drug availability is associated with increased use and overdose.
- Heroin use is driven by its low cost and high availability.
- Emphasis is needed on both PREVENTION and TREATMENT.
Resource for Faith Leaders: Mental Health
If you are a faith leader and would like more information related to mental health issues that may affect your congregation click on the links below to learn more.
National suicide prevention hotline information
crisis support text line information
National Crisis Text Line – Text “HOME” to 741741
The trevor project: resource guide for lgbtQ youth or Call 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline: Transgender crisis hotline or call 1-877-565-8860
a Faith leaders’ role in the community: treatment and recovery
myths and facts every faith leader should know about mental health
Resources for Families Coping with Mental and Substance Use Disorders
This link provides information on Mental Health Recovery and resources to promote recovery
Covers signs and symptoms of various disorders and how and where to reach out for assistance. This website also offers education about Mental Health Recovery. We encourage you to use this as a resource and to not use for self-diagnosis
If you are living in Stokes County and do not have insurance or are insured by Medicaid you can use this link to be connected to local providers as well as information on recovery and keeping yourself well
Mental Health Screening Tool
NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness- This website offers support and education for individuals struggling with mental health issues as well as family and community members.