SIDNEY — The Shelby County Drug Task Force has been established since late fall of 2016. There are currently 30 agencies who meet on a bi-monthly basis to collect and share data and information about the opioid and drug abuse problem in Shelby County.

“A dashboard was developed and is maintained on a monthly basis with this information so the different agencies are able to see if there is a change from month to month regarding the opioid and drub abuse problem,” said Diann Rodrigues, Drug Task Force member.

Her report continues:

Based on the information gathered, it was determined that the opioid usage in the county decreased, however, the non-opioid drugs, such as meth, usage has increased in the county.

In 2018, there was one Community Conversation as a follow up to the two that were held in 2017. This Community Conversation focused more on what services are currently available in the county and how to get more involved as a community member with the opioid and drug abuse problem in the county. In 2018, the Shelby County Drug Task Force created a website as well so the community has access to the different resources in the county for any services wanted and needed regarding drug usage in the county.

The Shelby County Drug Task Force will continue to meet on a bi-monthly basis to continue to gather and share information with the 30 different agencies who are apart of the task force.

The website is www.drugfreeshelbycounty.org