GLOCESTER – Noting that the northwest Rhode Island region has seen three reported overdose spikes in just six months, the Chepachet Grange will host a free event focused on awareness and prevention in collaboration with other local organizations and law enforcement agencies.
To address the drug crisis facing the community, the local Grange chapter will provide information, resources, activities, free swag, giveaways and more to attendees at a gathering on Thursday, August 28 starting at 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall at 28 Chopmist Hill Road.
The event will be held in partnership with the Burrillville Addiction Assistance Prevention; the Burrillville Prevention Action Coalition; the University of Rhode Island Community First Responder Program; the Veterans Administration; Foster, Glocester and Scituate Police Departments; the Chepachet Fire Department; Rhode Island State Police; and the Opioid Response Network at UMASS’s Chan Medical Center.
Grange member Raechel Robidoux, who also serves as the vice principal of Burrillville Middle School and as a member of BPAC, noted that the idea for the gathering came following an article published on NRI NOW on Saturday, April 5, which noted that the Rhode Island Department of Health had issued an overdose spike alert for Region 1, which includes the communities of Burrillville, Foster, Glocester, and Scituate.
Robidoux said that a concerned Granger brought the topic to the organization, and asked for a vote to host an awareness event. The Grange, she noted, is an organization that works to address community needs, and selects its service projects through democratic process. The vote by Chepachet’s chapter #38 was unanimous, and the outreach for community partners began.
On August 28, participating groups will have tables, and give brief presentations of what their organizations offer. Attendees will receive a gift bag, which they can fill with free swag from each table, including free naloxone and a demonstration on how to administer it in an emergency.
The event will also feature a “Hidden in Plain Sight” exhibit, a mock teenager bedroom to train parents on what to look for to identify substance use and abuse. There will also be a drug take-back area, where participants can safely dispose of unneeded medications. Attendees can learn about the risks of vaping, as well as try on simulator glasses to see what impaired drivers experience.
Visitors who check out each table will be entered into a door prize raffle for $100 gift cards to local restaurants.
To encourage attendance, Robidoux noted that the event is being promoted at each local high school and middle school, and includes a poster contest with the theme “Say No to Drugs.” Posters must clearly express the theme and be at least 8.5”x11” with no large size limit. Entries will only be accepted the night of the event from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., and winners will be announced the same night at 7:55 p.m.
Adults are also encouraged to participate, with prizes for submissions in two categories: ages 10 to 17, and 18 and older. Each will have a first place prize of $100 and second place prize of $50.
The event is free and open to all community members, and refreshments will be served at no charge.
The Rhode Island State Grange has awarded a grant in support of the event and additional support has been provided by community partners.
Founded in 1907 by a group of citizens seeking to strengthen the local farming community, the Grange is a national organization that provides members the opportunity to lead and to learn, and the ability to make a difference through community service, grassroots legislative advocacy and educational programs. There are currently 20 Grange chapters across the state of Rhode Island
The Chepachet Grange meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Grange Hall at 28 Chopmist Hill Road.
