Granite Wellness Centers educates, informs Placer County youth on dangers of opioid use

Monday was International Overdose Day, and Granite Wellness Centers seized the day to fight opioid use. Granite Wellness Centers teams stationed at Overlook Park in Auburn and Roseville handed out literature and self-care kits to inform and educate the 12-24 age group about the dangers of opioid use and the resources available to help. Granite Wellness Centers CEO Ariel Lovett said the plan for the day was to prevent overdoses, raise awareness and reduce the stigma. "We're concerned about opioids. People can overdose on prescription opiates," Lovett said. "We want people to know resources are available." Prevention specialist Serenity Madison noted there have been "numerous overdoses by young people in the last 30 days." Pamphlets were distributed on opioid safety and disorders, adolescent wellness services, stress, parent projects, family recovery, opioid overdose instructions and self-care instructions. The self-care kit consisted of a water bottle (for hydration) filled with essential oil to relax the mind and body; a crystal pendant to help heal the mind, body and soul; bubbles, for relaxation and stress relief; a fidget cube, to help with concentration; and a stress ball, to help relieve tension. A training session on disorders, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and the overdose-reversal medication naloxone is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, on Zoom. To register, email Madison by Oct. 24 at smadison@corr.us.