Town hall on opioid use in Birch Bay, Blaine

A town hall on opioid use in Birch Bay and Blaine will take place 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4 at the Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street.
The community group Birch Bay-Blaine Thrives (BBT) will bring together Blaine Police Department, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Whatcom Health and Community Services (WHCS), Blaine school district and students to discuss the use of addictive drugs, including fentanyl, in the community. Presenters will go over trends, risks, myths and what people can do to stop the substance use, according to an event flier.
“We wanted to make sure we were staying ahead of it,” Kari Holley, who co-facilitates BBT, said of fentanyl. “It is really on the forefront of everyone’s mind so we thought it would be a good time to hold a town hall.”
Holley said she hopes the town hall will allow people to discuss their worries and observations as well as ask questions. She would like for youth to feel empowered to share their experiences but added they will not be pressured.
“It’s looking at how we can make a safe and thriving community that looks out for one another, especially our students and youth,” Holley said.
BBT is made up of Blaine school district, WHCS, businesses, churches, social services and other community members dedicated to preventing substance use in Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts. BBT’s monthly meetings are open to the public and held noon to 1:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the school district’s boardroom.
“People who are struggling themselves or have a family member who is struggling are not alone,” Holley said. “This is a community that is here.”