Special to the American Press

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has released a brief Opioid Impact Survey requesting feedback from residents to help tackle the opioid crisis within our community.

According to data from the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office, Louisiana ranks third highest in overdose mortality rates. Deaths due to overdose in Calcasieu Parish doubled from 2020 to 2021. In 2023, more than 75% of overdose deaths in Calcasieu Parish involved fentanyl, making it the primary driver of overdose mortality. Most overdose deaths involve more than one substance at the same time.

The Police Jury was granted funding from a national opioid settlement to address alleged damages caused by companies involved in the marketing, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of pharmaceutical opioids. These funds will be distributed to support opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. The Opioid Impact Survey will help inform the parish on how to allocate these resources to effectively combat the opioid crisis.

“The opioid epidemic is a serious issue that affects individuals and families across our community. We want to better understand the impact it has had on our residents so that we can develop effective strategies to address it,” said Anthony Bartie, Police Jury President. “We encourage all residents to take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your responses will help us gain a better understanding of the extent of the problem in our community and guide our efforts to combat it.”

The CPPJ invites all parish residents to participate in this brief, anonymous survey to share their experiences, and address unmet needs, barriers to care, and funding priorities. To complete the survey, visit calcasieu.gov/opioidsurvey or scan the attached QR code. Paper copies may be completed and submitted at the following locations during normal operating hours:

• Parish Government Building, 1015 Pithon St., Lake Charles, LA
• Allen P. August Multi-Purpose Center, 2001 Moeling St., Lake Charles, LA

For more information about this outreach, visit calcasieu.gov/opioid or call CPPJ’s Department of Public Health Services at 337-721-3575.