Countryside’s counties recognized for cooperative work on opioid education
Countryside Public Health Director Liz Auch, Swift County Commissioner Eric Rudningen, middle, and Commissioner Gary Hendrickx represented the county at the Association of Minnesota Counties annual meeting where they received an award for how the Countryside counties have put to work the opioid funds it has received.
By Reed Anfinson
The five counties that make up Countryside Public Health, Swift, Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine, Big Stone and Chippewa, were recognized at the annual Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) for the work they’ve made possible with their combined opioid funds.
Together, they funded Countryside’s efforts to create its Primary Prevention Education and Communities Response to Opioids Program (CROP.)
“Established in 2021, CROP brings together local leaders and public health officials to address substance abuse in rural areas,” AMC said in presenting the award. “In 2022, the program funded an Opioid Prevention Educator to deliver the Positive Action curriculum in 11 school districts, benefiting 465 third graders and 42 seventh graders.
Teachers in Benson’s schools have praised the program when talking with administration and school board members.
“The program led to improvements in students’ self-esteem and problem-solving skills. Additionally, CROP allocates $1.5 million over 18 years to support treatment and harm reduction efforts, highlighting the success of regional collaboration in combating the opioid crisis,” it said.
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