Engage Tuscaloosa: Opioid Summit
Engage 2022
Engage 2021
|
Engage 2021In September of 2021, P.R.I.D.E. of Tuscaloosa hosted Engage : Opioid Summit at The Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Due to increasing COVID cases, this conference was held virtually and recorded so that the community may attend the conference from the comfort and safety of their homes. This year we had an amazing keynote speaker Liz Huntley the president of HOPE Institute. Mrs. Huntley shared her journey through life and the impact that addiction and illegal substances had on her life. We also had an incredible question panel including, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Abernathy, Tuscaloosa County District Attorney Webb, Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge Robertson, and our very own Prevention Director Nicole Shine.
|
Engage Tuscaloosa 2019In November 2019, P.R.I.D.E. hosted Engage Tuscaloosa: Opioid Summit at The Bryant Conference Center. Engage Tuscaloosa is a one day conference to learn and discuss key topics that perpetuate the opioid epidemic.
SPEAKERS District Attorney Hays Webb Hays Webb is the District Attorney of the sixth judicial circuit of Alabama. He was appointed by Governor Robert Bentley in September, 2016. DA Webb has been a frequent speaker on Criminal Law topics, and is dedicated to serving the citizens of Tuscaloosa County through effective, efficient, and ethical prosecution of criminals. Jamie Richey Jamie Richey is a native of Tupelo, MS and is the business development representative for Extra Mile Recovery, a men's residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. Through his own personal battle with opioid addiction and a nearly fatal suicide attempt, Jamie has risen above the stigma of addiction and found a way to recover. Jamie's primary goal in life is to help save the lives of those struggling with addiction and mental issues. Donna Duke Donna Duke began her career in the substance abuse field in 2010 as an Associate Addiction Professional, and through education and training became an Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is actively involved with the advocacy group FORMLL whose mission is to be a voice to people in recovery, to educate policy makers about addiction, and to pursue funding for treatment and prevention services. Capt. Phil Simpson, West AL Narcotics Task Force Born in the Caribbean and raised in Australia, Capt. Simpson moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama after serving for 5 years in the United States Marine Corps. Capt. Simpson joined the Tuscaloosa Police department in 1991. He has been the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force Commander since 2017. Amy Wagar In 2011, Amy began her fight against sex trafficking by creating awareness efforts, advocating for victims and developing programs to address this issue across the Birmingham, Alabama metro area. Currently, she serves as the Alabama Director for Trafficking Hope. Nicole Hall Nicole Hall is the community representative for Bradford Health Services. Nicole has over 6 years working in substance abuse prevention and education. Nicole is a Certified Prevention Specialist through the state of Alabama and AADAA. Nicole enjoys providing treatment care, resources, and information on the disease of addiction. Eric Harrison Eric Harrison battled a drug addiction for over 10 years of his life. What started out as a fun time during middle and high school tragically ended in several life or death situations. After finally stopping his drug use, Eric graduated from Calhoun Community College with honors, and earned a scholarship to The University of Alabama where he is currently studying Psychology and Addiction and Recovery Studies. Today, he strives to raise awareness on how easy it is to start using drugs and how hard it can be to stop. JacQuan Winters JacQuan D. Winters is a passionate suicide prevention advocate, youth empowerment coach, children's author and speaker. Following the suicide of his 11-year-old sister Kristen, Winters sought a way to keep her memory alive and founded the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation, Inc. Though the death of his sister Kristen was extremely painful, Winters was able to find purpose in pain and realized his passion to serve the younger generation. Dr. T Michael McLemore Mike McLemore is the director of McLemore Consulting and the founder of FORMLL Advocacy Group. Mike is a certified peer support trainer by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, a former board member of Faces and Voices of Recovery, and a member of the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Mike has over 30 years of experience in Substance Abuse Prevention with numerous awards, certifications, and education backing him. Sheriff Ron Abernathy Sheriff Ron Abernathy has been a law enforcement officer for the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office since being hired by Sheriff Beasor Walker in 1988. He leads a force of approximately 215 employees. His jurisdiction covers 1,340 square miles and he oversees operation of a 540-bed nationally accredited jail facility. The Sheriff's Office maintains criminal clearance rates above the national average with overall responsibilities that include Homicide, Criminal Investigations, Jail and Narcotics. |
|
Engage Tuscaloosa 2018In 2018, P.R.I.D.E. of Tuscaloosa hosted Engage Tuscaloosa: Opioid Summit at the Bryant Conference Center.
SPEAKERS Derek Osborn Derek Osborn, CPM, CPS, is a native of Tuscaloosa who earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law and the Courts from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is a former Court Referral Officer for the State of Alabama and was a trainer of new CRO's for the Administrative Office of Courts in Montgomery. Derek is a graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa class of 2009, a member of Druid City Business League, and an instructor at the Alabama School for Alcohol and Drug Studies and has been a featured speaker for multiple drug conferences throughout the Southeast. District Attorney Hays Webb Hays Webb is the District Attorney of the sixth judicial circuit of Alabama. He was appointed by Governor Robert Bentley in September, 2016. DA Webb has been a frequent speaker on Criminal Law topics, and is dedicated to serving the citizens of Tuscaloosa County through effective, efficient, and ethical prosecution of criminals. Chief Deputy Byron Waid A native of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Chief Waid graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School and The University of Alabama, with honors, earning a Bachelor's in Community Studies. In addition, he is a graduate of the FBI National Academy session 262 and Leadership Tuscaloosa. LT. Darren Beams Darren Beams has served the City of Tuscaloosa as a police officer since 2000 and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. He is the commanding officer of the ABC/Code/Vice Division, which primarily handles alcohol licensing and violations, environmental complaints, as well as vice crimes: Illegal gambling, Solicitation, Prostitution, and Human Trafficking. Beams was instrumental in forming the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, changing local commercial sex related investigations to a victim centered approach, and also participation by the task force in the NJSI (National Johns Suppression Initiative). Deputy Chief Chris Williamson Chris Williamson is the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service. He has worked in the department for 27 years as a firefighter and paramedic, and served as the department's Training Chief. He has been instrumental in developing partnerships between the department and The University of Alabama School of Social Work and between the department and the University Medical Center. Special Agent Kathy Stewart With 37 years in law enforcement, Special Agent Senior Kathy Stewart is assigned to the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation Special Victims Unit. Serving as a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, SAS Steward has completed over 1300 hours of training specific to ICAC investigations and computer-related crimes. Dr. T Michael McLemore Mike McLemore is the director of McLemore Consulting and the founder of FORMLL Advocacy Group. Mike is a certified peer support trainer by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, a former board member of Faces and Voices of Recovery, and a member of the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Mike has over 30 years of experience in Substance Abuse Prevention with numerous awards, certifications, and education backing him. |
|
Engage in Tuscaloosa 2014
In November of 2014, P.R.I.D.E. had the honor to partner with the District Attorney's Office to have the first Drug Summit, hosted by the University of Alabama. This was a huge success! It was able to relay the importance of drug education to the community. Each breakout group was able to discuss what they have faced personally and what they can do to continue to help speak on the importance of drug education.
We plan to have another summit in the near future to continue speaking about the importance of education and what this community can do collectively to lower the rates of addiction and overdoses in the area.
Thank you to all who participated and donated countless hours of your time to make this event such a success.
We plan to have another summit in the near future to continue speaking about the importance of education and what this community can do collectively to lower the rates of addiction and overdoses in the area.
Thank you to all who participated and donated countless hours of your time to make this event such a success.
|
|
