MIDDLEBURG – Many shoppers shared a sense of curiosity Monday as they walked past the front doors of the Winn-Dixie in Middleburg – some who were more curious, if not desperate, than others.

The Clay County Fire Rescue’s Community Paramedicine Team and members of Clay Behavioral Health Center and the Clay County Department of Health took their message of treatment and support to the heart of the opioid crisis in the Northwestern Clay County area.

“We’re trying everything we can,” said CCFR Battalion Chief Glenn East.

The program, “Hammer and Hope,” not only offers help to addicts who want to kick their opioid habits, but it provides resources to others who directly are affected by drug abuse.

“We’re here because a lot of time, it’s the grandma who has to get up and get food for the kids who needs help,” East said. “This is a multi-prong approach. Drug addiction affects everyone, not just the addicts.”

The program offers medication assisted treatment in the form of buprenorphine to qualified clients to help them overcome addiction to opioids. Clients are also connected to a recovery peer specialist for additional support and follow-up care with Clay Behavioral Health Center.  All services are confidential.

“If they want, they can be on and off our treatment plan in about a year or so,” said CCFR Lt. Paramedic Stephen Teal. “It’s not easy, but it can help you wean off opioids.”

One woman told the team a story of using pain medicine for years. She left with a box of NARCAN Nasal Spray that’s used to help with signs of breathing problems, severe sleepiness and a lack of response during an overdose emergency.

“This story needs to be told,” she said.

Last month, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics estimated there were 100,306 drug overdose deaths during a 12-month period ending April 2021 – an increase of 28.5% from 78,056 in the prior year. The CDC also said there were at least 7,892 deaths in Florida, an increase of 26.2%, although the agency also said many of the state’s numbers were underreported.

Last year, there were 556 confirmed overdose deaths in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties, the CDC reported.

Increased enforcement is another facet of Hammer and Hope.

In addition to a pair of Middleburg drug raids since Nov. 12, the sheriff’s office as made seven other drug-related arrests in the Middleburg area. On Nov. 12, six people were arrested at 1556 Nolan Road, and charges ranged from possession of drug paraphernalia to possession and trafficking in cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. On Nov. 24, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office raided a home at 141 Plankton Ave. in Middleburg and charged six with drug violations involving methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl.

“We have made over 800 drug related arrests this year. I am committed to holding accountable those who choose to sell drugs in our community or disrupt our safety because of drug related behavior,” Sheriff Michelle Cook said.

Help is available 24 hours a day by calling (904) 284-7703 or by emailing community.paramedicine@claycountygov.com.