CHI St. Vincent recently named Lindsay Mulkey, of Hot Springs, as its first substance use prevention specialist.
Mulkey, who has lived in Hot Springs for 10 years and will be based here, will support community efforts to reduce substance abuse in a five-county area in southwest Arkansas, a news release said.
Mulkey started in the position earlier this year and has already launched a collaborative effort with Garland County law enforcement agencies, encouraging area residents to safely destroy their unwanted and unused medications.
The initiative with the Garland County Sheriff's Department and Hot Springs Police Department, a "Battle of the Badges" drug take back competition, will culminate with next spring's national drug take back event led by the DEA.
"Lindsay has hit the ground running in her efforts to eradicate substance abuse in our community," Patrick McCruden, CHI St. Vincent's vice president for Mission, said in the release.
"All of us at CHI St. Vincent are grateful for the privilege to serve in this community. We want to do our part to ensure that Arkansas is the best place to live and raise a family. Through Lindsay's work, we are helping do our part to improve the quality of life for all of us."
Mulkey has more than a decade of experience working with youth and community organizations. As substance use prevention specialist, she collaborates with existing anti-drug abuse coalitions and task forces and shares evidence-based best practices and materials with groups and individuals in the region. Her focus will be on Garland, Pike, Montgomery, Clark and Hot Spring counties.
An Oklahoma native, Mulkey attended the University of Oklahoma.
Local on 12/06/2017