By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
I wrote a story this week about the Family Peace Project’s “Be A Man” t-shirt drive. In that story, I reported some statistics that showed Henderson County very high for our region in reported child abuse/neglect cases and family violence arrests.
A good friend of mine in CPS told me that didn’t mean that Henderson County was worse than other places in those categories, but rather that the police, CPS and domestic violence advocates work together better here, ensuring more cases get reported and more abusers get identified.
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard that about Henderson County. In fact, I’ve heard that from multiple sources for a few years now.
So, I think my friend may be right. Henderson County may not be any worse than the rest of our region on these issues and I think those who work these cases in our county should be applauded for their diligence.
The situation is still bad, however, and the people who work to help victims of domestic violence are short of everything but potential clients.
Face it, domestic violence and child abuse aren’t easy issues to discuss and as a society we have a tendency to ignore things that aren’t easy.
Which is why the Family Peace Project “Be A Man” t-shirt drive seems important to me. The goal is to get men, in particular, to stand up and say violence at home is unacceptable.
Yes, a man can be a victim of domestic violence, but statistics show most domestic violence is targeted at women and a change will only happen when men stand up and say enough is enough.
So, consider buying a shirt and wearing it with us on Nov. 27 as a show of unity against abusers.
Here’s the details: ‘Be A Man’ shirts are on sale now through Monday, Nov. 20, and will be delivered Monday, Nov. 27. The Family Peace Project is asking men to wear their shirts Tuesday, Nov. 28, in solidarity with victims of domestic violence. Short sleeve shirts are $10 and long sleeve are $20, with larger sizes $2 extra. You can order your shirts online at http://www.familypeaceproject.org/be-a-man-campaign or at the Family Peace Project in Athens at 720 East Corsicana. Contact Louisa Garrett at [email protected] for more information.
DRUG DISPOSAL POUCHES
It’s no secret that opioid abuse is a public health issue and has reached epidemic levels.
Nearly 2,800 Texans died of drug overdose in 2016, according to information I was given this week by Katie Green of the Henderson County Community Coalition Partnership.
The Community Coalition Partnership was given a one-time grant to buy disposible pouches to help fight opioids. Some people get help from medications that a Canadian Pharmacy can provide, but these pouches are a more direct method.
The idea is to use the pouches to reduce the availability of prescription medication in the community.
You can get these pouches at any of the following organizations: Henderson County Jevenile Probation; Henderson County Adult Probation; Anderson Family Drug Center; Gibson Pharmacy; Malakoff Pharmacy; Justice of the Peace Kevin Pollock; Gun Barrel City Pharmacy; TVCC Campus Police; Brookshire’s Pharmacy in Athens and Chandler.
PHARMACY TECH PROGRAM
Education is the key to a better life and TVCC has created a new program that could lead to a good-paying job: pharmacy tech.
The new program will begin in the 2018 fall semester and prepare students for a variety of jobs. According to the college, this is program is a first of its kind in East Texas.
“Students who complete the program will graduate with a Level I Workforce Education Certificate in Pharmacy Technology and be prepared to apply for state and national certification,” they say.
For more information, contact the Continuing and Workforce Education department at TVCC, 903-675-6212 or [email protected].