A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARNTERS
Welcome to the Fayetteville Event!
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NOTE: The program we are using for the event uses the term “member,” but this is NOT a commitment to become an APNC member. If you are already an APNC member, you still need to create new credentials for this event.
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Take the Survey
Please take this survey so APNC can collect data on the most important and pressing issues in your region and pass it on to legislators. It should take no more than 2 minutes.
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Watch the Film
The film-viewing window has closed for this event. To see the film, sign up for another event or click here for more information from the filmmakers.
To see more about Harm Reduction work specifically in North Carolina, check out this documentary from the Governor’s Institute.
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Engage in Discussion
Below is a recording of the panel held on February 10 in Fayetteville, NC, moderated by APNC’s Executive Director, Sarah Potter.
Resources
See below for links to all resources mentioned throughout the panel discussion.
Cumberland Fayetteville Opioid Response Team
North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program
LifeNet Services Saturday am SMART group (including meetings on Ft. Bragg)
Our Team
Sara Howe , MBA, MS, CHES
Chief Executive Officer
executivedirector@apnc.org
Panelist Bios
Joseph Green is a motivational speaker, educator, trainer, professional storyteller, award-winning spoken word poet, and a person in long-term recovery.Joseph’s life story and work are featured in media outlets such as Youth Today, UpWorthy, PBS NewsHour, NPR, and many more. Joseph’s presentations and workshops are for anybody seeking a reconnection to purpose, motivation, or community.
Joseph has partnered with many programs making a positive change in schools and communities nationwide. He has designed youth empowerment programs and a comprehensive training for adults working in youth development.
Greg Berry is a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist, who works as a harm reduction outreach specialist with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition in Fayetteville. Greg’s work includes providing peer support to participants enrolled in the State’s model Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program, as well as being a member of the Cumberland County Post Overdose Response Team (PORT). In addition, Greg is one of two, harm reduction outreach specialists operating in Cumberland County, providing syringe exchange services, narcan distribution, and health referrals to Cumberland County residents.
Mitzi Averette has been a nurse for 45 years, an educator for over 20 of those years, and is a person in long term recovery. Even after losing her nursing license twice due to substance misuse, which started in college and spiraled afterward, she got solid on a sustainable path of abstinence-based recovery in 1982, and that resulted in a life she never dreamed possible. Mitzi is eternally grateful for a supportive husband of almost three decades, an adult son who “listened and learned” a lot from her struggles and is doing very well on his own path, and a professional career beyond belief.
Rikki Bullard is Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and a Masters of Counseling degree, both from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Rikki has over 10 years’ experience providing clinical services to individuals, families and groups and has worked in a variety of settings including the community, managed care organizations, and school settings. Rikki is a Certified Licensed Counselor with The Counseling and Personal Development Center at Fayetteville State University.
Melissia Larson, North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, oversees the development and implementation of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) sites across the State. She is an experienced public safety project director with 21 years within the area of criminal justice and public safety initiatives, primarily geared towards local communities. Melissia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Her professional interests include increasing awareness among law enforcement on how harm reduction plays a critical role in their response along with creating understanding of the intersection of co-occurring disorders within the justice system.
Sara Howe is an award-winning, nationally recognized behavioral health leader with 20 years of experience building successful coalitions to take organizations to the next level. Sara holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health promotion from Purdue University and an MBA from Purdue’s Krannert School of Management. Sara served on board of directors and as public policy chair of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for seven years. She also recently served as chair of the Illinois Department of Human Services Social Services Advisory Council.