Grant County health council expands overdose prevention, behavioral‑health training and outreach

Emily McKinley, speaking for the Grant County Community Health Council, summarized recent public‑health activity across a three‑month period including trainings, outreach events and preparations to help the county respond to rising fentanyl‑related overdoses.

McKinley said the council ran question‑persuade‑refer and adult mental‑health first‑aid trainings, delivered overdose‑prevention trainings to a local brewery and the Hurley Police Department, and participated in health fairs and senior outreach. “Community members are incredibly concerned. Community members are grieving,” she said, describing the county’s multi‑system response that includes the sheriff’s office and behavioral‑health partners.

The health council is updating its opioid safety handbook using community focus‑group feedback and is shifting meeting times from evening to a midday schedule to improve participation and make events more accessible to parents and working residents. McKinley also flagged an upcoming meeting (July 23, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.) and urged commissioners to publicize the council’s training and resource‑mapping work.

What’s next: the council will continue community training, finalize the opioid safety handbook update, and coordinate with the county’s recent decision to join an opioid remediation collaborative. McKinley asked commissioners to support outreach plans and to help promote public trainings and events addressing overdose prevention.