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‘Together Arkansas’ returns to fight against opioids

By Alejandra Hernández | Original Article

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – A program is back to help fight against opioids.

Together Arkansas relaunched on Tuesday, Aug. 12, in a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in Jonesboro.

The program was developed to give resources to employers to understand opioid addiction.

Several speakers spoke about the fight against opioids, even some who fought against substance abuse themselves.

“A lot of times when someone is convicted of a felony, it’s hard to be reintegrated into society. It’s really hard to find a job because they have something hanging over their heads, and nobody wants to give them a chance. But I’m a person of long-term recovery, and if nobody gave me a chance, then I wouldn’t be here today,” said Shalinda Woolbright, executive director and founder of Divine Intervention in Jonesboro.

Woolbright said she hoped people who heard her story would give a chance to those recovering from addiction.

Kirk Lane, director of the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, said while opioid deaths are falling, more lives could be saved.

“In Arkansas we are losing a little over one a day,” he said. “When you get involved with drugs today and you become addicted or you become sustaining on them; there’s two ways out, you recover, or you die.”

Lane said he hoped employers would take advantage of the program.

You can also visit TogetherArkansas.com for more information on the program.

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