05/05/2026
PRESS RELEASE
FOR MAY 1, 2026 RELEASE
CONTACT: Kaitlyn Szczypka, Mason County Administrator 231-843-7999
Community Members Invited to Participate in Mason County Opioid Survey
Mason County, MI — The Mason County Community Opioid Steering Committee invites all citizens who live or work in the county to participate in an important community survey focused on opioid use, awareness, and remediation efforts. The survey is part of an ongoing effort to better understand the impact of opioids within the community and to guide local strategies that support prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Input from members of the public will play a critical role in shaping priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring that local voices are reflected in future initiatives.
“We want to hear directly from the people who live and work in Mason County,” said Jody Hartley, County Commissioner and Chair of the Steering Committee. “Whether you have been personally affected by opioid use or simply want to contribute to this effort, your feedback is valuable.” The committee is working on efforts to address the stigma around opioid use and recovery. Chair Hartley went on to say, “We must work together to eliminate the stigma surrounding substance use. Stigma keeps people silent, prevents individuals from seeking help, and isolates families who need
support. By speaking openly and listening with compassion, we can create a community where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not shame.”
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential and will be used solely for planning and prioritization efforts. Who should participate? All community members who live or work in Mason County are encouraged to
Complete the online survey. There will be paper copies of the survey for community members with lived experience regarding opioid use at various locations.
How to participate:
All community members can access the survey online at:
https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sKDYEfsGds6Lie
Paper copies will be available at Mason County District Libraries, the Mason County Administration Office, and additional partner locations.
Survey deadline:
Please complete the survey by May 25, 2026.
Community participation is essential to building effective, compassionate responses to opioid-related challenges. By sharing your perspective, you can help make a meaningful difference
in Mason County. For more information, please contact: Kaitlyn Szczypka Mason County Administrator 231-843-7999
[email protected] About the Mason County
Community Opioids Steering Committee:
The Mason County Community Opioid Steering Committee is a body of community members who will recommend how opioid settlement funds should be spent in Mason County. The goal of the committee is to remediate harm caused by the opioid crisis by reviewing input from the community survey, setting priorities for spending the opioid litigation funds, and recommending a process to the Mason County Board of Commissioners for distributing the funds.
The committee meets at the Mason County Airport Terminal Conference Room every other month on the fourth Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. The next meeting will be June 23,2026. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.