Alexander County PORT/ Community Paramedic

08/31/2026

We are out at the Overdose Remembrance Day. Music, Amazing Vendors from across the state offering support and resources. We also have a couple food trucks, as well as a time to remember the loved ones we have lost!! Come on out!

08/31/2026

🎓👏 **ANOTHER GRADUATION WORTH CELEBRATING!** 👏🎓

PORT is incredibly proud to congratulate **Trey Byrd** on his graduation from **FIRST at Blue Ridge** this weekend! 💙

We first had the opportunity to work with Trey while he was incarcerated. During that time, conversations began about recovery, treatment, and what life could look like after release. When that day came, Trey didn't just talk about making a change — **he took action.**

Trey went directly from incarceration to FIRST at Blue Ridge and made the commitment to spend the next year working on himself, his recovery, and the life he wanted to build.

This weekend, all of that hard work was recognized as he walked across that stage as a **graduate!** 🎓

Trey, there were a lot of steps between where this journey started and where you are standing today. Some of them were probably harder than others, but you kept moving forward. You made the commitment, put in the work, and stayed the course.

We are grateful that PORT was able to play a part in connecting you to the next step in your journey, but this accomplishment belongs to **YOU.**

We hope when you look at these graduation pictures, you see more than a ceremony. We hope you see proof of how much can change when you make a decision about the direction you want your life to go and keep showing up for it.

**Congratulations, Trey!** We are so proud of how far you've come, and we can't wait to see what you do with everything that lies ahead. 💙

**One chapter completed. A whole new one ahead. Keep going!** 🙌

08/31/2026

🎓💙 **CONGRATULATIONS, MASON!** 💙🎓

Today, PORT has the honor of celebrating a milestone that has been a long time in the making — **Mason Bruner’s graduation from FIRST at Blue Ridge!**

Our journey with Mason began while he was still incarcerated. We had the opportunity to get to know him, talk about what he wanted his life to look like when he was released, and help him begin planning for what came next.

When release day came, Mason made a decision that would change the direction of his life. He left incarceration and went **straight to FIRST at Blue Ridge**, committing himself to a year-long treatment program and the hard work that came with it.

And today, we get to say: **HE DID IT!** 🎓🙌

Mason, we hope you understand just how big this accomplishment is. Over the past year, you have shown commitment, perseverance, courage, and a willingness to keep doing the work — even on the days when we know it wasn't easy.

PORT may have had the privilege of walking alongside you for a small part of this journey, but **YOU did the work. YOU kept going. YOU earned this moment.**

Seeing you graduate and seeing the pictures of you surrounded by the people who love and support you makes us incredibly proud.

We can't wait to see where life takes you from here, Mason. Keep building. Keep growing. Keep choosing recovery. There is so much more ahead of you. 💙

**Congratulations, Mason Bruner! We are so proud of you!** 🎓

Your past may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to determine your future.

08/18/2026

As mentioned before, over the month of June and July we had an increase in overdoses utilizing THC/CBD/And H**p Products. One thing that I want to share is that overdose does not just mean death. Overdose (OD) is when there is more of a drug or combination of drugs in the system, which leads to harm or even death.

What does these substances do to our mental health long term ?

As a reminder, if you or a family member need help in overcoming addiction, and seek support in recovery. Do not hesitate to call or reach out for help. We have an amazing continuum of services in our area ready to help.RHA Health Services, ARC Alexander Resource Center, Cognitive Connections, and many more are here for you.

08/13/2026

Great work by all!

Here is the progress made thus far, and the impact that’s been accomplished. Once again we would not be here without each and every individual within our community committed to making a positive difference in any way possible. Thank you!!

08/06/2026

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, we have seen an increase of 20% in overdoses with the H**p/THC/and CBD substances, with the median age being 14. For this reason, we will share information over the next few weeks about the dangers of these substances to help you stay informed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact Alexander County PORT/ Community Paramedic program, ARC Alexander Resource Center, or RHA Health Services for help and support.

07/17/2026

Today’s menu!

Today's menu
meatball subs , chips , salad and banana pudding

06/14/2026

Narcan and test strips are available at our office. Please let us know how we can help!

⚠️ URGENT WARNING: Multiple Overdoses Reported Across Catawba Valley Saturday — Dangerous New Batch Suspected in Local Drug Supply

Published June 13, 2026 6pm

CATAWBA VALLEY, N.C. — Catawba County News & Weather is tracking reports of multiple suspected overdoses across Caldwell, Burke, Alexander, and Catawba counties Saturday — an unusually high number of incidents concentrated in a matter of hours that has raised serious concern about the current local drug supply.

The reports span the Highway 321 corridor from the Lenoir area south through Hickory, as well as incidents in and around Morganton and Taylorsville. While official incident totals are still being confirmed, the volume of reports in a short window is not normal for this region, and CCNW is issuing this warning out of an urgent concern for public safety.

When overdose incidents spike suddenly like this, public health experts say it typically signals one thing: a new, more potent batch of fentanyl or he**in has entered the local supply.

Here is why that matters — and why it catches people off guard.

Illicit drugs like fentanyl and he**in are not manufactured under any regulatory standard. The concentration of the active ingredient can vary dramatically from batch to batch — even when the volume of the dose looks identical to what someone has used before. A person who takes their usual amount may be unknowingly consuming a significantly higher dose of the drug than their body has any tolerance for. This is not carelessness. It is a predictable consequence of an unregulated supply, and it is what appears to be happening in this region right now.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE IN THIS AREA — PLEASE READ THIS

This page is not going to tell you what to do with your life. But we are going to tell you what is happening right now in our community, because you deserve to have that information.

If you are planning to use any opioid — including he**in, or any substance that may contain fentanyl — in this area today or this weekend, please take these steps:

Start with a significantly smaller amount than usual. What your body has handled before may be an overdose dose from what is currently circulating. Wait, assess how you feel, and go from there.

Do not use alone. If you lose consciousness, you cannot call for help. Having another person present may be the only thing that keeps a bad situation from becoming fatal.

Have naloxone (Narcan) within arm’s reach, and make sure the person you are with knows how to use it and where it is before you use anything. You cannot administer it to yourself.

KNOW THE SIGNS OF AN OVERDOSE

• Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
• Blue or gray lips or fingertips
• Unresponsive to voice or physical touch
• Pinpoint (very small) pupils
• Gurgling or snoring sounds that won’t stop

If you witness an overdose:

Call 911 immediately. Administer naloxone if you have it — one spray in one nostril. If the person does not respond within two to three minutes, administer a second dose. Place them on their side. Stay until emergency personnel arrive.

North Carolina’s 911 Medical Amnesty Law (G.S. 90-96.2) provides limited protection from prosecution for certain drug-related charges for a person who calls 911 to report an overdose in good faith. Do not let fear of arrest stop you from making that call.

WHERE TO GET FREE NARCAN AND FENTANYL TEST STRIPS IN THIS REGION

Olive Branch Ministry / Points of HOPE
3730 N. Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601
Call or text: (828) 291-7023
Serves Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, Alexander, and surrounding counties
Free naloxone, fentanyl test strips, peer support, and connection to treatment services — no judgment, no requirements

Free Narcan Vending Machine — Burke County
Located at Catawba Valley Healthcare, in the Town of Valdese
Available at no cost, no prescription or ID required
Established through a partnership between Burke County Government, Partners Health Management, and Healthy Blue

CVS Pharmacy Locations — Statewide
Narcan is available at no cost at CVS pharmacies across North Carolina under a statewide standing order. No prescription is needed. Ask the pharmacist.

Catawba County Public Health Department
(828) 695-5800

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS READY FOR HELP

NC HopeLine, Inc. : 1-855-467-3621
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free, confidential, and judgment-free.

Death is the only outcome that permanently ends someone’s chance at recovery. Everything else can be worked through. Stay alive.

CCNW will continue to monitor and update this situation as additional information becomes available.

05/21/2026

One of our area partners is having a fundraiser to help support their efforts in serving Alexander County. If you like to run or in my case walk as fast as you can, sign up!

05/09/2026

We want to congratulate Alexander county PORT peer support Brandi Hackett on her graduation from Appalachian State University Brandi graduated with a bachelors degree in social work. Congratulations Brandi we are so happy for you!!