The Blue Springs Police Department is partnering with the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District and other community agencies on an initiative called “One Life, One Community,” to bring awareness to, and reduce the prevalence of, fentanyl and opioid use among young people in Blue Springs.

One Life, One Community will kick off with a video premiere on the City and Police Department Facebook pages and YouTube Channel at 6 p.m. Dec. 1. But it doesn’t end there. On Dec. 15, the public is invited to attend a Community Forum where representatives from the Police Department, CJCFPD, the Jackson County Health Department, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Comprehensive Mental Health, and other community partners will host a discussion on how our community can work together to save more lives from fentanyl and opioid overdoses among our young people.

ONE LIFE ONE COMMUNITY: PUBLIC FORUM

6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, 1100 SW Smith Street, Blue Springs

“As not just a police officer, but as a parent of teens in this community, accidental overdoses have become a frightening reality,” said Sgt. Keegan Hughes.  “If you are a parent or guardian or if you work with teens and young adults, I implore you to please visit our social media pages and watch this video and attend the forum so we can discuss solutions to this serious, and sometimes, fatal issue among teens and young adults in our community.” 

According to CJCFPD, ambulances have run more fentanyl and opiate overdoses in 2022 than in previous years – reporting more than 30 opiate-related overdoses as of Nov. 1, 2022. 

The One Life, One Community Forum will be streamed Live on the City’s Facebook page on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.  Residents can attend and participate in-person or virtually by submitting questions and ideas to  [email protected] or commenting on the City’s Facebook Livestream at www.facebook.com/bluespringsgov.