Free support groups hope to help families impacted by opioid crisis

Jul. 11--A new Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing (GRASP) chapter will begin hosting monthly support group meetings in West Palm Beach starting July 10, according to a news release from the organization.

The recurring GRASP meeting is part of a relationship between Hanley Foundation's Project Connect for Overdose Prevention and Education (COPE) and GRASP, a national organization.

"Palm Beach County continues to see an opioid overdose death nearly every day," the organization wrote in a statement. "Hanley Foundation, a statewide leader in substance use disorder prevention, education and advocacy for access to quality treatment, launched Project COPE in 2018 to connect families who share the experience of a loved one who has died of opioid overdose, survived an overdose or are at high risk for overdose."

In South Florida, there are two other GRASP chapter meetings, in Boca Raton and Stuart.

The first GRASP meeting will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at Hanley Foundation's offices, 700 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 103, West Palm Beach. Subsequent meetings will take place the second Wednesday of each month at locations to be announced.

Those interested in attending are required to register by calling Debbie Keating at 561-768-3873 or by emailing JoLiGRASP2@gmail.com. The GRASP meetings, as well as all Project COPE forums, are free.

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Free support groups hope to help families impacted by opioid crisis

"We are grateful to be able to support GRASP's new chapter in West Palm Beach," said Barbara Shafer, Hanley Foundation's director of education and facilitator of the Project COPE forums.

"Through Project COPE, we continue to provide ongoing support to local families in the opioid crisis, but we know that the needs of those who have lost a loved one to addiction are unique. GRASP gives them a place to share their experiences with others also suffering the pain of loss."

Project COPE will continue to serve families in the opioid crisis from across Palm Beach County, who are invited to connect at four locations on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.:

-- First Thursday of each month: Oceanview United Methodist Church, 701 Ocean Drive, Juno Beach

-- Second Thursday of each month: St. Michael Lutheran Church, 1925 Birkdale Drive, Wellington

-- Third Thursday of each month: Delray Beach Community Center, 50 NW First Ave., Delray Beach

-- Fourth Thursday of each month: Rebel Recovery, West Palm Beach

-- Note: The July 25 meeting will be at Hanley Foundation, 700 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 103, West Palm Beach

Visit GRASPHelp.org, HanleyFoundation.org/Project-c4ope or call 561-309-6214.

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