Talbot Goes Purple student clubs are debuting projects on the science of substances at a science fair set for 6 p.m. March 23 at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department.

The clubs include students at Easton Middle School, Easton High School, and St. Michaels Middle School, who work on a variety of activities geared toward taking a stand against substance abuse. This project focuses on the science of substances and the effect on a teen brain. The final projects will debut at the science fair, which also will include local adolescent mental health and substance use disorder providers on hand for information and questions.

“We are pleased to see so many students engaged in learning the science behind the dangers of substance use and abuse, and sharing their knowledge with others,” said Dr. Rob Schmidt, TCPS Mental Health Coordinator.  “Our goal is to equip our students with meaningful knowledge to inform healthy choices and decisions, and help them lead by example among their peers. We also hope to provide parents an introduction to some of the excellent providers in our community.”

This science fair is one of several projects with Talbot Goes Purple across Talbot County Public Schools. Students this year also have participated in TGP’s daily educational messages and learned about prevention with Sterlen Barr, CEO of Rapping About Prevention (RAP), which delivers high-energy performances for grades 3-12 on topics including substance use prevention.

In October, TGP supported a school-wide poster contest for Red Ribbon Week. November saw elementary students collaborating on a gratitude mosaic and in December, students worked on ornaments that hung on the TGP Christmas Tree at the Talbot County Courthouse. And in February, students, teachers and administrators took part in Random Acts of Kindness Week, with notes of kindness spread around local schools.

Madison Elliott with TCPS is the TGP club advisor and liaison. All of TGP’s activities are sponsored by Spring & Associates. The student clubs are based upon the Herren Project, which includes evidence-informed prevention activities designed by clinicians and school counselors.

Talbot Goes Purple is a substance use prevention program geared toward helping kids stand up against substance abuse. Now in year six, TGP helps young people learn that they do not need substances to meet life’s challenges. Talbot Goes Purple includes school-based student clubs, outreach and education activities, and community engagement events.

An initiative of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot Goes Purple empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse.

More information about Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find us on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact us at [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Talbot Goes Purple this week announced prescription medication collection from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. April 30, in St. Michaels, as part of National Drug Take-Back Day.

National Drug Take-Back Day is an annual collection event sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA also sponsors a collection event each October; that event saw 372 tons of medications collected across more than 4,900 sites, including two in Talbot County.

For this month’s event, Talbot County Sheriff’s deputies will collect unused prescription medications at the St. Michaels Volunteer Fire Department at 1001 South Talbot St. in St. Michaels. Medication collection here in April filled an entire barrel.

Unused or expired prescription medications pose a serious public safety issue – proper disposal helps prevent misuse and abuse and helps save lives.

“Last year was the deadliest year for drug overdoses in our country’s history.” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble. “The path to addiction in many cases start with young people abusing prescriptions not prescribed to them, mostly from our own medicine cabinets. It is very important that we properly dispose of our unused prescriptions. Please take advantage of this take back day to keep your family and friends safe!”

Collection includes unwanted medications, vitamins and supplements — vape pens, inhalers, sharps and needles are NOT accepted. This program is anonymous – no questions asked, no identification required. The site also will include free educational materials along with free disposal and storage solutions, like Deterra bags. Deterra bags allow for medication disposal right at home, without endangering the environment.

In addition to this year’s take-back day initiative, a permanent, year-round, 24-hour a day, 7-days a week disposal box is located at the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office at 28712 Glebe Road, at the south end of the Talbot County Business Center. Other disposal locations in the county include the Maryland State Police Barrack at 7503 Ocean Gateway in Easton (24-hour); St. Michaels Police Department at 100 Freemont St. in St. Michaels (24-hour); and Oxford Police Department at 101 Market St. (weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. excluding holidays).

For more information on National Take-Back Day visit www.takebackday.dea.gov.

An initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot Goes Purple empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse.

More information about Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact: [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Talbot Goes Purple this week announced prescription medication collection from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. October 23, in Easton and St. Michaels, as part of National Drug Take-Back Day.

National Drug Take-Back Day is an annual collection event sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA also sponsors a collection event each April; that event saw 420 tons of medications collected across more than 5,060 sites, including three in Talbot County.

For this month’s event, Talbot County Sheriff’s deputies will collect unused prescription medications at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, at 315 Aurora Park Drive in Easton; and at the St. Michaels Volunteer Fire Department at 1001 South Talbot St. in St. Michaels.

Unused or expired prescription medications pose a serious public safety issue – proper disposal helps prevent misuse and abuse and helps save lives.

“Overdoses have become the leading cause of accidental deaths in people younger than 50,” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble. “Many people who start using prescription painkillers recreationally get them from a family member or friend’s medicine cabinet, so proper disposal really makes a difference. Please take advantage of this take back day to keep your family and friends safe!”

Collection includes unwanted medications, vitamins and supplements — vape pens, inhalers, sharps and needles are NOT accepted. This program is anonymous – no questions asked, no identification required. The sites also will include free educational materials along with free disposal and storage solutions, like Deterra bags. Deterra bags allow for medication disposal right at home, without endangering the environment.

Due to the pandemic, masks are required at all collection sites. If you have any symptoms or feel sick, please stay home. You may contact the health department for at-home storage and disposal solutions.

In addition to this year’s take-back day initiative, a permanent, year-round, 24-hour a day, 7-days a week disposal box is located at the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office at 28712 Glebe Road, at the south end of the Talbot County Business Center. Other disposal locations in the county include the Maryland State Police Barrack at 7503 Ocean Gateway in Easton (24 hour). The drop box at Oxford Police Department at 101 Market St. in Oxford is open by appointment only. The drop box at St. Michaels Police Department is currently closed due to the pandemic.

For more information on National Take-Back Day visit www.takebackday.dea.gov.

An initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot Goes Purple empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse.

More information about Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find us on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact us at [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Sixteen years ago, a Talbot County Circuit Court Judge changed Jason Lee’s life.

“Son, what are you going to do with your life?” asked now-retired Judge William Horne. “Is this what you want to do? Is this what you want to be?”

Lee, who opened Jason’s Computer Services in Easton in 1999, turned and looked back at his family, also in the courtroom.

“I said to them, ‘I am sorry, so very sorry.’”

By his own admission, a younger Lee made bad decisions. Lee thought he could do as he pleased, with no consequences, and headed down a bad path. But Lee doesn’t dwell on his history; instead, he uses it for good.

This September, Jason took proceeds from sales at his business and raised $1050 for Talbot Goes Purple (TGP), a substance use prevention initiative from Tidewater Rotary and Talbot County Sheriff’s Office. The TGP program, Lee said, is very important to him now, at 16 years sober.

After Judge Horne’s words, Lee decided to turn his life around. He focused all the negative energy into his business, to help others in his own way. Raising the money for TGP, Lee said, will hopefully help someone else.

“Jason’s Computer Services stands proud with their support for Alcoholics Anonymous, addiction programs and The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office.

“Joe Gamble is both a personal friend and a true leader to this community. We are blessed to have him leading this county forward in a positive direction. We are proud to support Talbot Goes Purple,” said Lee.

Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble said Lee and his story show the power of recovery, and that people with substance use disorders more often than not go on to do great things in the community.

“I have been blessed to meet many very successful people in this community who conquered addiction earlier in their life,” said Gamble. “Jason is one of many who have fought the good fight — and won.”

If you or someone you know struggles with substance use disorder and would like information on how to find treatment, TGP has recently launched an online, interactive resource link tool available on their website, at www.TalbotGoesPurple.org. The tool takes 5-10 minutes and does not collect personal information. The website also lists local resources and tips for parents.

An initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot Goes Purple empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse.

More information about Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find us on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact us at [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Talbot Goes Purple this week launched an interactive online tool that connects people with local substance use disorder resources.

Talbot Goes Purple (TGP) is an awareness and educational prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative focuses on keeping kids from using drugs in the first place, through evidence-based prevention strategies and outreach activities.

Now in its fifth year, TGP recognized a need for an easy way for people, especially parents, to navigate finding help for someone with substance use disorder. The online tool uses a series of questions to provide a list of available substance use treatment providers that offer assessments for adults and adolescents, which is the first step in getting help.

“Since before we started Talbot Goes Purple, I’ve had people call me or come into my office, wondering where to go for help with a friend or loved one struggling with substance use disorder,” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble, who founded TGP. “We realized there wasn’t an easy way to find available resources online, so we set out to create one, and came up with this interactive tool.”

Long-time TGP supporter Shore United Bank stepped up with a sponsorship that made the tool’s development possible. They’ve also agreed to insert small information cards about the tool into customer envelopes at all four Talbot County branches.

“We’ve been partnering with our communities for the last five years to help raise awareness about the dangers of substance use disorder,” said Debra Rich, chief marketing &project officer with Shore United Bank. “The Interactive Resource Tool provides treatment information for yourself or someone you know who may be struggling with a substance use disorder.

“The tool walks you through a series of questions and provides resource links to help you or someone you know. As a community bank, it is important that we remain active in helping our communities with the different kinds of struggles that we could all potentially face.”

The tool is available online at www.TalbotGoesPurple.org and includes information on the different types of treatment, family support groups, tobacco and vaping cessation resources, and more. The tool is completely anonymous, does not ask for any personal information and is easy to use.

For more information about TGP, visit www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or email [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter and Paul School and Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Generous support for the project this year includes: APG Media, Easton Utilities, Spring & Associates, Forever Midshore 96,7 WCEI-FM and 94.3 WINX-FM (official media partner), Shore United Bank, Qlarant, VFW Post 5118, Attraction Magazine, Church of the Holy Trinity, Chesapeake Classic Car Club, Dragonfly Boutique and Shore Home and Garden.

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Talbot Goes Purple this week announced Operation Save A Life, a new initiative that provides free overdose response kits for local businesses and organizations.

Talbot Goes Purple started in late 2016 as an initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary. The program focuses on substance use prevention and encourages the community to Go Purple throughout September, as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. Since its inception, more than half of the counties in Maryland also Go Purple, including Worcester County, on the Lower Shore.

This summer, Worcester Goes Purple and Warriors Against Addiction launched the innovative, life-saving campaign, ‘Operation Save A Life.’ The program involves mounting an overdose response kit at local businesses, in an effort at having the opioid overdose response medicine at every business across the county.

Talbot Goes Purple is bringing this initiative to Talbot County and seeks businesses, non-profits and other organizations who are interested in becoming partners. Partners will receive a small, unlocked, clear unit that mounts onto a wall that is easily accessible and visible. The box contains a dose of Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, along with necessary items like gloves.

To notify the public that a business or organization has this life-saving medication on hand, businesses receive small window cling for display.

Operation Save A Life partners are listed on the TGP website, mentioned on the TGP Facebook page, offered free on-site Narcan training and offered a free purple bulb and other TGP materials if desired.

To take part in Operation Save A Life, email [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is an awareness and educational prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative includes purple clubs in our middle and high schools through which students learn they do not need drugs or alcohol to meet life’s challenges. The purpose of the project is to promote the ‘new conversation’ – one that includes prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarettes.

The community can again display purple lights and gear starting Sept. 1 and throughout the month as a show of taking a stand against substance abuse.

For purple gear, visit our online store at www.TalbotGoesPurple.org. Get your lights on that website or at ED Supply in Easton – and turn them on starting Sept. 1 and throughout the month.

More information is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or email [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools and Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Generous support for the project this year includes: Easton Utilities, Spring & Associates, Forever Midshore 96,7 WCEI-FM and 94.3 WINX-FM (official media partner), VFW Post 5118, Attraction Magazine and Shore Home and Garden.

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

The first Festival of Hope is set for Aug. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Idlewild Park and includes the five-year kick-off for Talbot Goes Purple.

The festival is a partnership between Talbot Goes Purple, Mid-Shore Restoring Hope in Women, Christ Church of Easton, and the Town of Easton, and coincides with international overdose awareness day. The evening event will include free pit beef and hot dogs; live music with Alive @Five; family fun including face painting, games and prizes; activities with the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office including K-9 demonstrations; resource tables; a memorial and a Walk of Solidarity.

Talbot Goes Purple will officially kick-off year five at the festival, with a brief lighting ceremony at 7:45 p.m. at the park gazebo. A Walk of Solidarity around the park’s track, honoring those lost while supporting people in recovery, will directly follow the lighting.

“The pandemic really brought new challenges to people struggling with substance use disorder,” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble. We want people to come out and have fun, learn about TGP, see what resources are available and hopefully, remember that prevention, treatment and recovery do work.”

Sherry Collier, founder of Mid-Shore Restoring Hope in Women, has organized overdose awareness day events in Easton since 2017. Her non-profit supports women in need of recovery services

“When I started this fight against addiction with my son, no one wanted to hear or talk about the opioid epidemic,” said Collier. “We’ve made great strides since then and this event is aimed at awareness around preventing more deaths and reducing the stigma of overdoses and addiction.”

Bruce Strazza, a local recovery advocate and Alive @5 worship leader at Christ Church, has served on the Mid-Shore opioid task force and has twice spoken for the Lt. Governor of Maryland. He also serves as an active member with Talbot Goes Purple and a resource for Gamble. Strazzaand Alive @5’s performance at the festival is the final performance of a three-part summer concert series from Christ Church.

“We’ve seen the numbers that confirm what we already knew – the pandemic made our opioid crisis worse than ever before,” said Strazza, who regularly helps people struggling with substance use disorder. “But we all need to remember that there is always room for hope, and that recovery really is possible.”

Gamble also expressed gratitude for the continued support, and new partnership, with Easton Mayor Robert C. Willey and the Town of Easton.

“We’re grateful for the partnership with Easton Mayor Willey and the town, as it helps us with our educational efforts that affects all of our families,” Gamble said.

Talbot Goes Purple is an awareness and educational prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative includes purple clubs in our middle and high schools through which students learn they do not need drugs or alcohol to meet life’s challenges. The purpose of the project is to promote the ‘new conversation’ – one that includes prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarettes.

The community can again display purple lights and gear starting Sept. 1 and throughout the month as a show of taking a stand against substance abuse.

For purple gear, visit our online store at www.TalbotGoesPurple.org. Get your lights on our website or at ED Supply in Easton – and turn them on starting Sept. 1 and throughout the month.

More information is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or email [email protected].

Talbot Goes Purple is in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools and Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Generous support for the project this year includes: Easton Utilities, Spring & Associates, Forever Midshore 96,7 WCEI-FM and 94.3 WINX-FM (official media partner), VFW Post 5118, Attraction Magazine and Shore Home and Garden.

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.