LAURINBURG — Eastpointe is sponsoring two free trainings in Scotland County on Monday.

These are separate events and the public may choose which they would like to attend. But Eastpointe officials encouraged the community to attend both companion training sessions.

The first workshop is entitled “Opioid 101 Training for Communities and Crisis Collaboratives.”

It will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the A.B. Gibson Educational Center.

Organizers hope the training will help clarify myths and fallacies that currently exist about opioid treatment and opioid use.

Donald McDonald, Executive Director of Addiction Professionals of NC, will lead the training session.

He is a former addict who is working to help others overcome their addictions. He views addiction to drugs and alcohol as a disease that is best fought through prevention, treatment and long-term recovery; and supporting people who have gone through treatment so that they can avoid relapse.

Eastpointe will also hold a Harm Reduction Summit that day from 1 to 4 p.m. It is also at the A.B. Gibson Center.

The purpose of the summit is to discuss strategies to reduce harmful consequences high-risk activities.

Eastpointe is sponsoring this summit in partnership with the NC Harm Reduction Coalition that tries to bring together people who use drugs, engage in sex work, or have histories of incarceration closer to disease prevention, health services, and reduced recidivism; and ultimately to raise the health and safety index of communities.

The A.B. Gibson Educational Center is at 322 South Main St.

To register, visit the Eastpointe training calendar on the homepage at www.eastpointe.net.

Staff report