St. Bernard Taskforce Opioid Program

10/26/2025

🚴‍♀️What an amazing Saturday at the Tour Da Parish event!🚴‍♂️

S.T.O.P. would like to send a huge thank you to the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce for allowing us to take part in such an incredible event! 🙌

With over 400 cyclists and vendors from Texas, Atlanta, the U.K., and beyond 🌎 — this event was a true celebration of community, wellness, and the spirit of St. Bernard Parish. ❤️🤍💙

We were honored to provide valuable resources, educate the public on opioid awareness and treatment options, and showcase how much St. Bernard cares about the health and well-being of our residents. 💪👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Thank you again to everyone who stopped by our booth — together, we’re making a difference! 💬🧠💜

10/24/2025

❤️💙 S.T.O.P. would like to send a huge thank you to J. F. Gauthier Elementary School for inviting us to be part of their Report Card Conference Night on Thursday! 🍎✨

We had such a wonderful time meeting so many amazing students, parents, and teachers! 🏫 Our team shared fun and simple ways to help kids make healthy choices, practice kindness, and learn how to say “no” when something doesn’t feel right.” 💬💪

For parents and caregivers, we talked about how to start early, age-appropriate conversations at home — about staying safe, making good decisions, and keeping communication open. 🌈 Even the smallest talks today can make a big difference tomorrow! 💖

A heartfelt thank you to Principal Shellie Monk and Assistant Principal Gabrielle Glapion-Abadie for welcoming S.T.O.P. and for their continued dedication to creating a safe, supportive, and positive environment for their students! 🌟

🤝 Together, we’re helping build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community — one family at a time. ❤️💙

📞 If you or someone you know needs help or would like more information about S.T.O.P., call us today: 504-655-3235

📸 Pictured: Principal Shellie Monk, Katelin Neitzschman – S.T.O.P. Director, and Assistant Principal Gabrielle Glapion-Abadie – J. F. Gauthier Elementary School

10/23/2025

💛💙S.T.O.P. would like to give a big thank you to Andrew Jackson Middle School for inviting us to be part of their Report Card Conference Night on Wednesday! 🏫✨

We loved meeting so many students, parents, and teachers while sharing important information about making healthy choices, understanding peer pressure, and talking about the dangers of opioids. 💬💊

Our goal is to help middle schoolers learn how to make smart, confident decisions — and to remind families that it’s never too early to start conversations about safety and wellness. 💛 Whether it’s learning to say “no,” knowing who to talk to when things feel tough, or helping a friend make good choices — every conversation matters! 💙

A huge thank you to Principal Todd Larche and the Andrew Jackson Middle School staff for welcoming S.T.O.P. and supporting our mission to keep students and families informed and empowered. 🌟

🤝 Together, we’re helping build a stronger, safer, and healthier community — one student at a time!

📞 If you or someone you know needs help or wants to learn more about S.T.O.P. programs, call us today: 504-655-3235

📸 Pictured: Katelin Neitzschman – S.T.O.P. Director, and Principal Todd Larche – Andrew Jackson Middle School

10/22/2025

📚 S.T.O.P. would like to thank Chalmette High School for allowing us to be part of their Report Card Conference Night on Tuesday! 💙

We were honored to share valuable information about opioid misuse disorder in both adults and adolescents — including treatment and recovery options for those in need, as well as tips for safely storing and properly discarding unused medication. 💊

We also spoke with parents and caregivers about how to start age-appropriate conversations with their children on making healthy choices and handling peer pressure situations. 🗣️ No age is too early — and it’s never too late — to begin open, honest conversations that can make a difference.

A heartfelt thank you to the Chalmette High School administration for recognizing the importance of having S.T.O.P. involved in this event.

🤝 Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier community!

📞 Call S.T.O.P. today to start your journey toward a healthier, happier life: 504-655-3235

📸 Pictured: Katelin Neitzschman – S.T.O.P. Director, Stanley Simeon – S.T.O.P. Addiction Resource Coordinator

10/17/2025

💜 Understanding Addiction — and the Power of Treatment, Family, and Hope 💜

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone — our friends, neighbors, coworkers, or loved ones. At S.T.O.P. (Support • Treatment • Overcome • Prevent), we see every day how substance use disorder changes lives… but we also see something else: 🌈 recovery is possible.

🧠 Addiction is a disease, not a choice. It’s a chronic condition that affects the brain, behavior, and ability to stop using — even when the person wants to. It’s not a moral failing or lack of willpower — it’s a medical condition that requires compassion, structure, and proven treatment.

At S.T.O.P., we connect you with a full range of addiction and recovery services designed to help individuals and families heal together:
✅ Detox Treatment – The first step toward recovery in a safe, supportive environment.
🏥 Inpatient & Outpatient Programs – Personalized treatment plans that meet each person where they are.
💊 Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) – Helps reduce cravings and stabilize early recovery.
🗣️ Counseling & Group Therapy – Because healing the mind is just as important as healing the body.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Support & Education – Empowering loved ones to understand addiction and rebuild relationships.

💞 For Family Members: How You Can Help 💞

When someone you love is battling addiction, it can feel overwhelming. You may feel helpless, angry, confused, or scared — and that’s okay. Your emotions are valid, and your support matters more than you know.

Here are a few ways families can make a difference:
📘 Educate yourself about addiction — knowledge replaces judgment with understanding.
🤝 Offer support, not control. Show love and encouragement, but remember recovery is a personal choice.
🚫 Set healthy boundaries to protect your own well-being. Boundaries aren’t rejection — they’re love with structure.
🧩 Seek support for yourself. Family therapy, Al-Anon, or local support groups can help you heal, too.

Addiction affects the entire family — but so does recovery. Together, families can learn, rebuild trust, and find hope again.

💬 Coping Through the Journey 💬

Recovery isn’t a straight line. There will be good days and hard days. What matters most is never giving up. Celebrate the small victories — every sober day, every therapy session, every honest conversation. 🌟

Healing takes time, patience, and community. You don’t have to face it alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, S.T.O.P. is here to help.🌿

📞 Call us today at 504-655-3235 to learn more and start you journey toward recovery. Because recovery isn’t just about surviving — it’s about starting over with purpose. 💜

09/25/2025

As we are nearing the end of National Recovery Month, it’s important to remember that recovery is not just an event—it’s a journey of courage, growth, and new beginnings. 🌟

Recovery often begins with a decision to change—the first step of acknowledging that help is needed. From there, the journey can take many forms:

🔹 Asking for Help – reaching out to a trusted friend, counselor, or treatment program is often the most powerful first move.
🔹 Detox & Stabilization – for some, this means safely managing withdrawal and beginning the process of physical healing.
🔹 Treatment & Counseling – learning new tools, addressing underlying struggles, and building coping skills through therapy and support groups.
🔹 Building a Support Network – surrounding yourself with people who understand and encourage your growth.
🔹 Creating a New Lifestyle – finding joy in healthier routines, new goals, and positive activities that bring purpose and stability.
🔹 Long-Term Recovery – understanding that recovery is not about perfection, but progress—one step at a time, one day at a time.

Recovery is possible, recovery is real, and recovery opens the door to a brighter future.

✨ Every ending is a new beginning.
✨ Every step forward matters.
✨ Every person deserves a chance at recovery.

If you or someone you love is ready to begin this journey, call S.T.O.P. today at 504-655-3235. 💜

09/19/2025

🌟 National Recovery Month 🌟

This week, S.T.O.P. had the honor of organizing, in partnership with Avenues Recovery and Alchemy Addiction Recovery a powerful community event that brought together residents, partners, and organizations dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey to recovery. 💜

Events like these are more than just gatherings — they are opportunities to unite as a community, provide access to vital resources, and create pathways to lasting recovery. By working side by side, organizations can collaborate to ensure the residents of St. Bernard Parish receive the most comprehensive and personalized care plans possible. Together, we are stronger, and together, we can make recovery a reality for all who seek it.

We are deeply grateful to the following organizations for providing resources, support, and hope to our residents:

-St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office

-Family Violence Program of St. Bernard

-Metropolitan Human Services District

-New Vision at Ochsner–St. Bernard Parish Hospital

-Neutral Ground Behavioral Health Solutions

-River Oaks

-Integrative Recovery Therapies

-Healthy Avenues

-St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce

-Chalmette Wellness Clinic

-Celebration Recovery

🤝 Thank you to all who attended and helped make this event such a success. Recovery is not just possible — it happens every day when we come together as one community. 💪💜

📞 If you or someone you know would like to start their journey to recovery today, call S.T.O.P. at 504-655-3235.

09/16/2025

📣 Stop by and see us today! 📣

We are proud to bring many valuable resources to the residents of St. Bernard Parish. We’re here not only to connect you with services, but also to provide guidance and support on the road to recovery. 💜

📍 The Coffee House
🕙 Today, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Come meet us, learn about the help available, and take the first step toward a brighter, healthier future. Recovery is possible, and it begins with community. 🌟

09/15/2025

Stop by tomorrow and see what resources are available!

09/08/2025

08/25/2025

We were honored to be welcomed back again this year to CHS 9th Grade Academy last Friday to teach at Too Good 4 Drugs Week! 💜

At S.T.O.P., part of our mission is to educate and empower our youth with the knowledge and tools they need to make positive choices. Teaching prevention early helps break the cycle of addiction and builds a stronger, healthier community for generations to come.

With the 9th graders, we covered:
✅ The real dangers of opioid and substance misuse
✅ Healthy coping skills and decision-making tools
✅ The impact of addiction on families and communities
✅ How recovery is possible, and where to find help

📸 Pictured from left to right:

Denise Montalbano – sharing a powerful family testimonial

Desiree’ Hebert-Wibright – Drug Preventionist

Katelin Neitzschman – S.T.O.P. Director

Thank you, CHS, for inviting us back and continuing to partner with us in shaping brighter futures. Together, we are giving students the knowledge, strength, and hope to say YES to life and NO to drugs.

08/25/2025

A huge thank you to Valero Meraux for inviting S.T.O.P. to be part of this year’s Total Wellness Fair! 💜

S.T.O.P. provides FREE opioid treatment and recovery services for St. Bernard Parish residents, and we were honored to share resources and connect with your employees.

Addiction doesn’t just affect individuals—it impacts families and communities. Together, through events like this, we can spread awareness, offer hope, and remind people that recovery is possible. 💪✨

We are grateful for partnerships that make a difference and help us reach those who need us most.