Live Opioid Free
Choosing to live opioid-free is a powerful step toward a healthier, more vibrant life.
Live Opioid-Free: Take Control of Your Health
Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, as well as illegal drugs like heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. They work by binding to opioid receptors in a person's brain, blocking pain signals, and releasing large amounts of dopamine, which can create feelings of happiness. While opioids are effective at managing severe pain, they also carry a high risk of addiction, overdose, and serious health problems. Misuse of opioids, even when prescribed by a doctor, can lead to addiction, making them dangerous and potentially life-threatening if not used as directed.
Choosing to live opioid-free is a powerful step toward a healthier, more vibrant life. By saying no to opioids, you’re taking control of your future and setting a positive example for others.
Opioid Education and Prevention
At Be The Change, we are dedicated to educating Barry County about the dangers of opioids and preventing opioid misuse before it starts. Opioids, including prescription painkillers and illegal drugs like heroin, pose serious risks such as addiction, overdose, and long-term health complications.
Be The Change prevention efforts focus on raising awareness through community programs, school presentations, harm reduction, and outreach events that teach the facts about opioids and their impact. By empowering individuals with knowledge and resources, we strive to reduce opioid misuse and encourage healthier choices. Together, we can create a safer and healthier future for everyone.
Play It Safe
Did you know? Medicine misuse and opioid addictions don't just happen to adults. 14% of middle school and high school students have intentionally misused beneficial medication, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) to get high.
Behind alcohol and marijuana, the most common drugs youth misuse are prescription medications. Common misused medications include opioids and pain relievers (Vicodin®, OxyContin®), barbiturates and benzodiazepines (Valium®, Xanax®) and stimulants (Dexedrine® or Adderall®, Ritalin® or Concerta®).
Why is this becoming a problem? Because opioids are relatively easy for youth to access. According to one study, adolescents aged 12–17 who reported non-medical opioid use obtained opioids for free (46%) or purchased them (20%) from a friend or relative. Safe medicine disposal is crucial to prevent unused opioids from falling into the wrong hands, such as youth or individuals struggling with addiction.
OpiRescue: Free Lifesaving App
OpiRescue provides everyone access to lifesaving tools needed to prevent and recognize overdoses, perform step-by-step reversals, easily find and use Naloxone, anonymously report reversals, and quickly locate treatment providers and other helpful resources.
Benefits for OpiRescue App Users
- Downloadable on Apple App Store or Google Play
- FREE anonymous access, no registration ads, or spam
- Recognize overdoses and perform step-by-step reversals
- Easily find and use Naloxone and report reversals
- Quickly locate treatment or other resources
Give Someone A Second Chance to Stay Alive; Narcan®
Narcan®, also known as naloxone, is a life-saving medication designed to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, quickly restoring normal breathing in a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to an overdose. Narcan is easy to use and can be administered as a nasal spray, making it accessible even for those without medical training. By providing an immediate response during an overdose, Narcan can save lives and buy critical time until emergency medical help arrives. It is an essential tool in the fight against the opioid crisis, empowering individuals, families, and communities to act quickly in emergency situations.
Narcan® is available for free and confidentially throughout Barry County. For those struggling with substance misuse, go slow, reduce your risk, and never use alone to ensure safety. Overdoses are preventable with help, and recovery is possible.
FREE Narcan Kits Available In Barry County
We offer a free, confidential Narcan kits, including exchanges of any expired kits. To receive a free kit, individuals may walk in to our main office at 500 Barfield Drive, Hastings, Michigan 49058 (we reside inside the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority main office) Monday- Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Individuals may also talk to their health care providers about Narcan to see if a prescription for Narcan is right for them. A prescription may be that critical step in protecting themselves or a loved one from the dangers of an opioid overdose.
You can also get Narcan FREE from one of our community partners:
• Barry-Eaton Health Department
• Barry County Cares
• Barry County Public Defender's Office
• Barry County Serenity Club
• Family Support Center of Barry County
• Delton District Library
• Putnam District Library in Nashville
• Thornapple Valley Church (All Locations)
• Hastings Public Library
• Leftfield Cafe on Main in Middleville
• Delton Family Pharmacy
• Hastings Pharmacy
• Maple Valley Pharmacy in Nashville
RECOVERY INCLUDES YOU
In partnership with Barry County Community Mental Health Authority (BCCMHA), we launched the "Recovery Includes You" campaign, aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding substance use recovery and encouraging individuals to seek help in their journey toward a substance-free life. Our campaign is focused on providing education and resources needed so that people in Barry County—from teens to veterans to members of the LGBTQ+ community—know how to access the care they deserve by calling us direct at 269-948-8041 or by visiting barrycountyrecovery.com.
Through "Recovery Includes You," we are committed to spreading awareness that no one is alone in their struggle with substance use. Everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves support, compassion, and access to recovery services and care.
By promoting a message of hope and inclusion, the campaign emphasizes that reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous step toward living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Together, we can create stigma-free communities within Barry County where recovery is embraced and individuals feel empowered to take charge of their well-being.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a substance use emergency or overdose, don’t wait—call 911
For non-life threatening emergencies, please call Barry County Recovery's 24/7 Crisis Line at 1-866-266-4781.
