This week’s Rotary program focused on a challenge affecting communities across the country: addiction and overdose prevention. Larry Kenemore, representative with Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention, presented a new Rotary initiative to the club, Project SMART. The initiative is designed to address the full continuum of addiction from preventing substance use before it begins to helping individuals access treatment and sustain recovery. SMART represents five areas of focus: School Learning, Medication & Drug Disposal, Awareness, Recovery and Treatment. Kenemore highlighted opportunities for Blackshear Rotary Clubs to make a measurable difference locally through age-appropriate prevention education, safe medication disposal, overdose-response training and resources, recovery support and connections to treatment. A key component of the initiative is tracking outcomes so participating clubs can measure the impact of their work within their own communities. One of the most powerful moments came through the story of a man who spent decades struggling with addiction and homelessness before finding recovery and support through members of his local Rotary Club. He eventually became a Rotarian himself, built a successful business and joined Project SMART's board of directors—a reminder of the difference a community can make by showing up for even one person. Kenemore then challenged the club: “What’s your club going to do for one person?” Representative from Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Blackshear PD and Blackshear Fire Department also attended the meeting to learn about Project SMART. Seen above are (l-r) Club President Steven Stipe, Larry Kenemore and Rotarian Franklin Rozier.
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