September 11, 2023 |
Photo – Carbon County Conversations Poster – Courtesy MHCC Facebook
On Tuesday, the Carbon County Prevention Network is hosting an information seminar regarding two relatively new and dangerous drugs.
The Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, in conjunction with the Carbon County Higher Education Center, is sponsoring a new monthly series of meetings called Carbon County Conversations: From Classroom to Community. MHCC Marketing, Communications, and Foundation Director Stephanie Hinkle said the meetings are designed to cover a variety of topics affecting the entire county.
The first Carbon County Conversations meeting is tomorrow afternoon, at the Carbon County Higher Education Center in Rawlins. Hinkle said the meeting will cover the topic of Delta 8 and Kratom usage. Delta 8 and Kratom are two psychoactive drugs derived from plants. Delta 8 is extracted from hemp products while Kratom comes from a relative of the coffee tree. Both drugs have become popular over the past 10 years because of a lack of federal oversight. The two drugs are legal in most states, including Wyoming.
Hinkle said the hospital and the Higher Education Center have teamed up with the Carbon County Prevention Network to inform residents about the effects of these relatively novel drugs. Wyoming Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Ashley Schluck will give a presentation about Delta 8, Kratom, and similar drugs.
Carbon County Prevention Network is focused on the mental wellbeing of residents. Hinkle said beginning the new monthly meeting with a discussion about drugs seemed appropriate.
Hinkle said Carbon County Conversations will cover a different topic every month. The hospital communications director said the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, the Carbon County Higher Education Center, and Carbon County Prevention Network will work together to bring in guest speakers to cover a variety of topics.
Tomorrow’s Carbon County Conversations meeting will address drug use. Hinkle said next month’s meeting will focus on changes within the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County and the unique challenges of providing healthcare in the area.
Hinkle said November’s meeting will explore the importance of aerial medical transportation. Hinkle said representatives from Classic Air Medical will be on hand to discuss the necessity of prompt medical care in a large place like Carbon County.
Hinkle said despite the remote nature of Carbon County, dangerous narcotics have made their way into the area. The hospital communications director said while technically legal, Carbon County Conversation organizers chose Delta 8 and Kratom as the topic for the first meeting because parents may not know about the existence of the two drugs.
Hinkle said tomorrow’s meeting will be available virtually for people unable to attend in person. Hinkle said to search for the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, Carbon County Higher Education Center, or Carbon County Prevention Network Facebook pages for a link to the event. The hospital communications director said to call the Carbon County Higher Education Center if you are planning to physically attend.
Tomorrow’s first Carbon County Conversations: From Classroom to Community meeting on the illicit drugs Delta 8 and Kratom will be from 12:30 to 1:30pm at the Carbon County Higher Education Center located at 1650 Harshman Street in Rawlins. Please call 328-9274 to RSVP for the event. Lunch will be provided.
