Stonington — As it approaches 10 years of existing under its current moniker, the Stonington Prevention Council is working harder than ever to attack the opioid crisis from all angles.

In the fall, the council partnered with the Southeastern Regional Action Council, or SERAC, to administer a survey in grades six through 12. It asked students about their use of and feelings regarding drugs and alcohol, among other things.

Though the results are not yet known, similar surveys around the area have found increased use of prescription drugs among students.

A goal of the survey in Stonington, which was the town’s first valid survey in about seven years, is to see if the town’s students fall into a similar trend, prevention council Chair Kristen King said.

As early as next week, a billboard advertising the council’s free individual and family counseling for residents will pop up on state Route 2 as part of the council’s Mental Health Matters campaign. Residents can get up to 12 sessions at no cost from the town’s three counselors.

“A big piece of substance abuse is the mental health piece,” explained King, who chairs the council as part of her role as the town’s Youth & Family Services Administrator.

The council paid for the board with part of a $4,100 grant it received from SERAC. It’s the council’s second such billboard. The first one, which depicted the connection between prescription drugs and heroin and stood off state Route 1 near Fleming’s Feed last summer, was purchased by local businessman Rob Valenti and designed pro bono.

“It just shows that people want to support the prevention council,” King said.

On Jan. 24, the council is hosting a different kind of workshop, called “Talking to your kids about drugs.” During the two-hour session at the YMCA at 1 Harry Austin Drive, cognitive psychologist Dr. Alicia Farrell will discuss how to broach the tough topic with kids and what to say if a child already is using drugs. The talk also will take a look at drug use trends and the ever-changing list of drugs that exist.

The council is providing free refreshments and child care during the event, which will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

The prevention council also has launched a new support group, which meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month and is open to anyone affected by addiction. Licensed clinical social worker Molly Kunka facilitates the meetings.

“The problem is everywhere ... and it hits all walks of life,” King said of opioid abuse. “There is that misconception of Stonington that things like this don’t happen here, but I can tell you they 100 percent do.”

Since 2008, the council has been working to assist Stonington residents in addressing problems associated with drug and alcohol use. Prior to that, the Youth Advisory Board and Stonington Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force were tackling the issue.

Over the years, members of the council have visited elderly housing facilities throughout the town to tout the importance of properly disposing of medications. Police often empty the large prescription drop box in their lobby, which from summer 2015 to late winter 2016 collected 140 pounds of medications.

Last year, members created a protocol for handling people who walk in and are struggling with addiction or know someone who is. That process, which includes analyzing a person’s financial or other barriers and referring them to other groups as needed, also has been given to police.

The council continues to support a small but strong group of high school students who are interested in combating drug use, too. Some members of the group, which was formed at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, attend the council’s monthly meetings.

“This is not a Mystic-Pawcatuck-Stonington issue,” King said. “This is obviously a countrywide issue. And the best way to handle it is through prevention efforts and support of those that have been affected.”

For more information about the Stonington Prevention Council's initiatives or to register for the upcoming workshop, call Stonington Human Services at (860) 535-5015.

l.boyle@theday.com