Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition

10/29/2025

Here’s some good news for your day: Minnesota has experienced a drop in overdose deaths for two years in a row. Officials announced on Tuesday that overdose deaths dropped 26% from 2023 to 2024, and they pointed to naloxone and prevention efforts as having an impact.

You can be a part of continuing this work! Through the efforts of the RCCMHC, HCI offers free training for organizations and individuals on how to administer naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Join us on Nov. 6 or Nov. 17 at St. Olaf College. Learn more and sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevBfRXWJq9QMKMnK_UlJFegDssg2kAjPcAA4b48zt8w0-jdA/viewform

10/28/2025

"She believed she could—and she did."

This October, for Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, we’re sharing powerful stories of recovery from our community. 💜

🌱 Meet Shantel and discover her inspiring journey of strength and courage: https://healthycommunityinitiative.org/2025/10/highlighting-substance-use-and-misuse-prevention-month-shantels-story/

Your story matters. Your voice can inspire someone to take their first step toward healing.

10/27/2025

📊 A new study published in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment highlights promising ways to improve outcomes for justice-involved women with opioid use disorder (OUD) leaving jail.

Researchers at JCOIN’s Kentucky Clinical Research Center found that linkage facilitation interventions—using Telehealth alone or Telehealth combined with peer navigators—significantly improved post-release treatment engagement.

Key Findings:
🔹Women who received either intervention were more likely to enter treatment within 3 months of release (49.1%) compared to standard care (35.1%).
🔸Those in the Telehealth + Peer Navigation group had 2.4x greater odds of engaging in treatment than the standard care group.
🔹More sessions with a Peer Navigator were linked to fewer days of substance use, including opioids.
🔸Community supervision (probation/parole) and prior treatment experiences also predicted higher engagement post-release.
🔹These findings underscore how combining technology and peer support can bridge critical gaps in care during reentry and reduce substance use among justice-involved women.

🔗 Read the full study: https://www.jcoinctc.org/new-study-shows-linkage-facilitation-models-utilizing-peer-navigation-reduce-substance-use-and-increase-treatment-engagement-among-women/

10/23/2025

"I never in a million years thought that I would be able to stay sober, much less enjoy sobriety. Today, I look forward to every new day and have nothing to fear."

This October, for Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, we’re amplifying powerful recovery stories from our community. 💜

🌱 Meet Charity and hear her journey of resilience and hope:
https://healthycommunityinitiative.org/2025/10/highlighting-substance-use-and-misuse-prevention-month-charitys-story/

Your story has power. Your voice can inspire others to take their first step toward healing.

10/23/2025

🌟 Career Exploration Opportunity for Students! 🌟

Interested in a career in health care? Join Scrub Club — a free, hands-on program where students can explore medical careers and learn real nursing skills! 🩺

📅 When: Monday, Oct. 27 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.
📍 Where: Faribault Medical Center – Lower-Level Classrooms
200 State Avenue

🍎 Snacks provided!
👩‍🎓 Who can attend: Area high school and college students

✨ What to expect:
Get hands-on experience and learn what it’s like to be a nurse! Activities include:
• Practicing IV placement
• Learning about Narcan and EpiPen usage
• Caring for immobile patients
• Trying out nurse practitioner skills

🔗 Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=78NehJqp5Uqhq8rPfIYuky81mNKwyrdMv6XvOCU0rmJUNTdVQTFCVUNURjhHU01LTTExRkRYNVpMQi4u&origin=QRCode&route=shorturl

10/20/2025

This recent article shared by Rice County highlights the heartbreaking realities of substance use and overdose — and the families forever changed by it.

Stories like those of Josiah Schirmer and Hunter Wells remind us that behind every statistic is a loved one deeply missed. 💔

While overdose deaths have declined in Rice County, thanks to greater access to Narcan, education, and treatment resources, the need for prevention and support remains urgent.

You can help support your community’s well-being by learning about local resources and initiatives that promote chemical and mental health 💜 https://www.ricecountycmhc.org/

10/19/2025

All are welcome to join this free training!

The next Naloxone (Narcan) training with Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition is coming up on October 20. Learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose - you could save a life!

In this free class, you’ll:
✅ Learn how Naloxone works and see a live demo
✅ Receive your own Naloxone kit
✅ Understand Steve’s Law (MN’s Good Samaritan & Naloxone Law)

All are welcome! Fill out the Google form to reserve your spot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevBfRXWJq9QMKMnK_UlJFegDssg2kAjPcAA4b48zt8w0-jdA/viewform

Questions? Contact ashley@healthycommunityinitiative.org

10/17/2025

“My dad always told me the road to ruining your life is short, but the journey to fixing it is long. While I am still on that long road back, today I can say that I don’t need drugs or alcohol to function.”

This October, for Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, we’re amplifying powerful recovery stories from our community. 💙

✨ Meet Christine and hear her journey of resilience and hope:
https://healthycommunityinitiative.org/2025/10/highlighting-substance-use-and-misuse-prevention-month-christines-story/

Your story has power. Your voice can inspire others to take their first step toward healing.

10/15/2025

RAVE youth leaders came together earlier this week to share updates on the incredible youth-led projects they’re driving forward — from ni****ne quit kits and v**e disposal boxes to advocacy around local flavor restrictions, queer-focused initiatives, and community tabling events. 💪

Together, they’re raising awareness about the harms of va**ng on youth and the environmental impact of improper v**e disposal. Proud of these young changemakers leading the way for healthier, more informed communities! 🌿💭

Learn more about the RAVE initiative here 👉 https://www.ricecountycmhc.org/rave/

10/13/2025

Do the youth in your life know that most of their peers don’t use substances? According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most youth (ages 12-17) have never used alcohol, ni****ne, or illicit drugs in their lifetime.

79% have never had a drink of alcohol
81% have never used to***co or v**ed ni****ne
76% have never used illicit drugs

10/12/2025

🚨 We’re looking for voices from our community! 🚨

Naloxone (Narcan) access saves lives — and your input can help make it more available across Rice County. 💙

Have you ever witnessed or heard of a situation where someone needed Narcan during an overdose emergency?
Do you know of a location in Rice County that could benefit from offering free Narcan access?

We’d love to hear from you! Please share your thoughts in our anonymous, confidential form — your perspective matters and will help us build stronger, safer resources for our community: https://forms.gle/uWMxiH8H8NRrBpBz6