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Bryan County Substance
Abuse Task Force
About Us
The Bryan County Substance Abuse Task Force (BCSATF) is comprised of community members and professionals who share a singular goal of combating substance abuse in Bryan County. We collaborate with mental health providers, physicians, law enforcement, pharmacists, and medication-assisted detox treatment centers. We also partner with Choctaw Nation, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the National Guard, and Durant Independent School District.
Our Community-Based Efforts
BCSATF works to prevent the non-medical use of prescription medication and the misuse of alcohol through research, education, and strategy.
Non-medical Use of Prescription Medication
Research has shown that some Bryan County residents are unaware of the dangers of sharing prescription medication, as well as being unsure of how to properly store and dispose of their prescription medication. Educating residents on these issues is a proven strategy for reducing the non-medical use of prescription medication.
Educating residents on the dangers of the non-medical use of prescription medication involves providing Bryan County residents with information on:
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The dangers of sharing prescription medication;
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How to properly store prescription medication in the home;
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How to properly dispose of prescription medication at home;
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Where local prescription drug drop boxes are located (for proper disposal of prescription medication outside of the home).
BCSATF has provided over 526 free prescription drug lock boxes/bags to Bryan County residents, since May 2019. Our coalition also provides free medication disposal kits which Bryan County residents can utilize in their homes, to dispose of their unused or unwanted medication in a safe and convenient manner. We have also collected 225.5 pounds of unwanted, unused, or expired medications at our Prescription Take-Back Events.
BCSATF uses proven strategies to reduce the occurrence of the misuse of prescription medication and the misuse of alcohol in our county.
BCSATF has also begun working on raising awareness of local treatment facilities that help those who are suffering from opioid addiction, as well as raising awareness of the life-saving medication Naloxone. Naloxone is an easy-to-use medication that is utilized to reverse opioid overdoses.
Misuse of Alcohol
BCSATF has also worked to reduce the misuse of alcohol by conducting Alcohol Compliance Checks and Responsible Beverage Service and Sales Training in Bryan County.
Membership
Our membership is open to residents of Bryan County. If you would like to participate in prevention efforts in Bryan County, please join us at our monthly meetings. Our virtual meetings are held on the last Wednesday of every month from 11:00-12:00 p.m.
If you would like to learn more about the Task Force or subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, The Task Force Times, please e-mail us using the form below.