BY DEBBIE PAGE
During the Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell’s September meeting, Executive Director Kristin Blumenstein conducted member brainstorming groups to help determine what efforts the organization should continue and what new directions it might consider.
The groups agreed that distribution of prescription drug lock boxes and disposal kits, alcohol locks, naloxone (Narcan), and other safety and prevention devices is important to continue.
Community education and prevention events and collecting youth substance use data (vaping and tobacco products, alcohol, marijuana, etc.) were also deemed important focus areas.
The members also wanted to continue Narcan and other prevention trainings, keep the annual Iredell Walk for Recovery and In the Know events, and continue the organization’s Iredell County Substance Use Resource Guide and monthly digital newsletter publication.
Some suggestions for DACI’s future were to create a strategic, multi-year plan; pursue additional grant and funding opportunities; have a drive for new members; and recruit interns to assist the organization.
Other suggestions were for DACI to work on purchasing and installing more sharps boxes in public places to prevent disease spread, offering grant opportunities for substance use disorder treatment, and making fentanyl test strips and other harm reduction tools available to the community.
Other suggestions were to increase marketing for the Overdose Candlelight vigil, film positive stories to post on the DACI website and Facebook page, and have shorter In The Know type educational events at work places and faith-based organizations.
Blumenstein and the DACI Board of Directors will consider these suggestions as strategic planning moves forward.
‘IN THE KNOW’ EVENT PLANNING UNDERWAY
The “In The Know” Planning Committee has secured the two keynote speakers for the March 10, 2026, event.
Dr. Shuchin Shukla currently provides clinical addiction medical services at the Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center. He also consults for Buncombe County around overdose prevention and works on projects at the University of North Carolina, including post-overdose response teams case management software development and technical assistance for programs serving communities affected by substance use and criminal justice involvement.
Gail Embt, part of the Recovery Club America Parent Inner Circle, will also present. She helps provide services to parents struggling to care for youth and young adult children facing struggles with mental health and substance. She also partners with Operation Parent to offer support and education for families dealing with loved ones’ substance abuse.
Breakout sessions are still being planned. The popular Hidden in Plain Sight mock teen bedroom to help parents spot signs of substance abuse will be back for the 2026 event.
Other topics being considered are presentations on household products that can be abused, dangerous substances available at retail outlets in Iredell County, and building resiliency and increasing protective factors to prevent youth from getting involved with substance use.
RESTORATION ROAD MINISTRY PRESENTATION
Restoration Road Ministry (RRM) Executive Director Rob Harris also gave a brief presentation about his organization to his fellow coalition members.
RRM is a 5019(c)3 corporation serving Iredell’s at-risk families. The 100 percent volunteer ministry was formed to focus on addiction, prevention and recovery, harm reduction, families affected by such, and at-risk children.
The objective of the organization is to ultimately solve these conditions by serving as a catalyst and long-term partner while providing appropriate training, education, and services ministering to the individual’s and the families’ specific needs.
The Christ-centered organization is supported by an active Board of Directors. The organization has a monthly financial overview by a CPA to ensure each dollar is spent appropriately and to file necessary financial and tax documents.
Harris noted that RRM is made up of 37 unselfish volunteers, and 100 percent of all monies raised and donated past through directly to the individuals the organization serves.
“There are many in this collaborative who financially support us, along with two other amazing organizations, Binks Addiction Awareness and the Carolina Balloonfest,” said Harris.
Currently, four divisions make up the RRM organization: Living in Fellowship and Truth (LIFT), Salty Sweet, Acts of Kindness, and His Purpose ministries.
The Living in Fellowship and Truth (L.I.F.T.) .ministry is the organizations children’s outreach program.
“Our kids deserve every opportunity to succeed and be fruitful,” said Harris.
The LIFT. ministry started approximately seven years ago, mainly focusing on the Southside of Statesville.
“The ministry has grown significantly over the years, touching most of the challenged neighborhoods in the area. The group meets regularly to enjoy a homemade dinner and provides games and activities for the children, along with age of appropriate Bible study. The program currently serves over 40 school age children.”
Several partners make this ministry possible, including Yokefellow Ministry, Partners Health Management, the Salvation Army, and the Elks Club.
The Salty Sweet ministry’s name was derived from the “salt” of the sin all deal with and the “sweet” of God’s word and promise to give it all to Him for restoration, Harris explained. The leaders in this ministry have real life experience with addiction and with the hurts, hangups, and habits associated with it.
“Our focus is on addiction prevention, recovery, harm reduction, and mental health. This ministry partners with local and regional providers to ensure, based on the individuals’ needs, that each person’s plan is tailored uniquely for his or her hurt.”
“Ultimately, our objective is to establish a stable, healthy, drug-free living environment. This ministry is guided by seven North Carolina certified peer support specialists.”
“Over the years we have mentored, advocated, or assisted over 100 individuals to regain stability and sobriety. The ministry is currently assisting 24 individuals, with several living in an organized sober living environment.”
The Acts of Kindness ministry focuses on assisting families, specifically single mothers, living in an unstable, transient, or homeless environment. “We strive to provide safe, shelter, encouragement, love, and a foundation to move forward,” said Harris.
“Our mentors and volunteers connect parents with needed services, jobs, and transportation, and provide a trusted friendship. Our focus is to stabilize their living situation and ultimately bridge them into long-term housing.”
This ministry is currently assisting 24 families.
In the past month, Acts of Kindness volunteers have been particularly challenged by the closing of the Brookwood Inn in Statesville. In the past month, RRM raised over $28,000 to place these families in a stable living environment.
“Our volunteers were and are continuing to work countless hours seven days a week to support these families,” said Harris.
RRM’s In His Purpose ministry works on feeding, nurturing, and lifting up individuals, families, and the elderly living on the brink of homelessness. “We not only physically nourish them with homemade meals, but we also feed their spiritual souls as well,” said Harris.
Volunteers providing a heartfelt meal and a listening ear while generally caring for them makes a difference in an otherwise chaotic day of survival, said Harris. “This outreach is filled with smiles and tears.”
“Our unselfish volunteers mentor and walk step-by-step with each person. In His Purpose is currently currently serving over 50 individuals living in Iredell County motels.
The need continues to grow, with Harris noting the organization began assisting three new families in just the last week.
The organization is now embarking on a mission to establish Binks Landing, a group of sober living transformational homes in Iredell County for women, men, and families.
Over the past two months, RRM viewed several properties to begin identifying possible launch properties. “We are teaming up with a local investor to make this stream a reality,” said Harris.
He noted that sober living is only one piece of a person’s recovery. “Wraparound services are what makes the difference because they are tailored to the individual’s specific needs. We are teaming with several agencies, healthcare providers, counselors, therapists, and education providers to help them stay on their recovery journey.”
Individuals being served by the program contribute to their living expenses based on their incomes.
Harris invites the community to learn more about Restoration Road Ministry by visiting its website at www.rrminc.org or by following the organization on Facebook.
ABOUT DACI
The Drug-Alcohol Coalition of Iredell is made up of dozens of representatives from various help agencies, area law enforcement entities, medical professionals, and city and county governments.
The group’s website, available at daciredell.com, seeks to educate, engage, and empower Iredell County citizens. The group, founded in 2012, is committed to the reduction and prevention of substance misuse, abuse, and overdose deaths.
Their focus is to build community awareness of substance use disorders, to educate parents, teens, and children about the dangers of misuse, and to prevent problems before they start.
The DACI website provides information on the organization’s events and ways to get involved with the coalition. The group’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/Drug-Alcohol-Coalition-of-Iredell-557415357723605.
DACI’s next meeting is on Monday, October 20, at 12 noon at Iredell County Cooperative Extension Center at 444 Bristol Road in Statesville. Lunch is provided.