Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement Council Announces Community Advocacy Panel Applications

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee's Opioid Abatement Council is opening a new opportunity for those affected by the opioid crisis to make their voices heard.

Now through April 4, the Council is accepting applications for its Community Advocacy Panel.  The panel will be comprised of Tennesseans who want to inform the OAC about the personal and community impacts of opioid use disorder (OUD).

“Our Council is made of amazing men and women who are active, engaged, and passionate about this work, but we only have one member who’s lived through addiction, and that’s myself.  We readily acknowledge that there are a whole host of valuable perspectives that matter to this work, and that’s what this Community Advocacy Panel is designed to incorporate,” said Dr. Stephen Loyd, Opioid Abatement Council Chair.

The 16-member panel will be comprised of people who have been affected by the opioid crisis in some way. People with living experience of addiction and recovery and those who have lost friends, family, or loved ones to overdose are encouraged to apply.  Additional potential applicants with relevant experience may include public health officials and advocates, law enforcement or judicial representatives, opioid remediation service providers, and others with living experience from the opioid crisis.

“We make a point to start every one of our council meetings with a moment of silence and a personal story that reminds us of our ‘why.’  We also make space for anyone in the audience or watching online to offer public comment.  This new panel will give people another avenue to offer deeper input and have impact on what we do as a council,” Dr. Loyd added.

Applications are open now through April 4.  More information about the panel and application process is available at this link on TN.gov: tn.gov/oac/community-advocacy-panel