OKLAHOMA CITY – In Creek County, a $300,000 opioid abatement grant has sparked something unprecedented: five separate organizations working as one unified force to combat the county’s devastating opioid crisis.
“Creek County is in the top 10 in non-fatal overdose hospitalizations, with opioids being the most common substance involved,” explained Ashley Ridge, project manager for the opioid abatement program in Creek County. “We’re also still the 7th highest in drug overdose deaths.”
These sobering statistics drove Creek County to pursue a collaborative model that brings together CREOKS Health Services, Family & Children’s Services, Youth Services of Creek County, Lifegate Freedom Recovery Mission, and Human Skills & Resources, Inc. Rather than working in isolation, these organizations now share resources, referrals and expertise to provide wraparound support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
“Many of our clients have really complex, overlapping challenges when it comes to substance use,” Ridge said. “Our goal was to meet them where they are with housing, treatment, parenting classes, education, recovery—all aligned so we’re really just collaborating and providing them that wraparound support.”
The program addresses multiple needs simultaneously: housing assistance, medication for opioid use disorder, recovery housing scholarships, parenting and GED classes in jail and substance-use education for pregnant women.
Deanna, a participant in the opioid abatement program though CREOKS, shared her transformative experience.
“After a brief relapse, I found myself completely drained emotionally and financially. I made the decision to return to therapy through CREOKS, and it was one of the most pivotal steps in my recovery,” she said. “Not only did I receive vital support for my mental health, but I was also connected with incredible housing assistance that covered my rent for the month. This program lifted a tremendous financial burden off of my shoulders and gave me the space to truly focus on healing.”
The collaborative model has created something that didn’t exist before in this rural county.
“Since we’re a rural county, access to substance use services is often really fragmented or nonexistent,” Ridge said. “This grant really helped us form a truly integrated system within Creek County that way people who don’t usually have access have access now.”
The program has created lasting change beyond the grant period.
“Without this grant, this [success] wouldn’t be possible,” Ridge emphasized. “We’ve been able to build something that didn’t exist before—a united, community-driven response to the opioid crisis that makes recovery and support really truly accessible in Creek County.”
For Deanna, the results speak for themselves.
“Because of this support, I have been able to stay sober and continue rebuilding my life with stability and purpose,” she said. “I genuinely feel like I have my life back, all thanks to this program and the compassionate, life-changing assistance they provided.”
Creek County’s success demonstrates that even small, rural communities can tackle complex challenges when organizations unite around a common goal—saving lives and rebuilding communities one person at a time.
