MCHD Cannon Team serves as starters for Overdose Awareness 5K Walk 08.26.2023

August 26, 2022

MCHD Cannon Team serves as starters for Overdose Awareness 5K Walk

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department’s (MCHD) Cannon Team served as the official starters today for the second annual Overdose Awareness 5K Walk at Mardi Gras Park. The event was sponsored by MCHD’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) team.

The event was free to the public and approximately 15 vendors were present to provide resources to the community. Along with the Cannon Team and OD2A, also representing MCHD and Family Health – its primary care division – were the surveillance and control teams dealing with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); the Health Equity Office; the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program; and the COVID-19 Outreach team.

Having the honor to fire the cannon were Coleman and Katy Meador, who lost a child to a fatal overdose in 2022.

In 2016, an initiative called “MCHD Declares War on Physical Inactivity” began. Dr. Bernard H. Eichold II, then serving as Health Officer for Mobile County, pointed out that Alabama has one of the highest percentages of obesity in America.

Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, who assumed the position of Health Officer in 2022, has supported the mission of the Cannon Team. By taking part in community events, the team encourages local residents to go outside and enjoy our beautiful surroundings while exercising. Dr. Michaels also participated in today’s walk.

The Lyle Line-Throwing Cannon, which has a 2.5-inch-diameter barrel, was manufactured in the early 1900s by Coston. It is not a replica, reproduction, or toy. The cannon was designed to fire a projectile attached to a rope to a boat or a victim in distress. Now it used to inspire those seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Derrick Scott supervises a team of MCHD employees that has been trained to safely use the device. Participating on Saturday were Dana Burroughs, Tommy Busby, James Currie, Edward Franklin, Erika Goodwin, Eddie Jones, Pebbles King, Roxanne Lee, Michelle Suggs, and William Taylor.

Any other groups interested in having the MCHD Cannon Team attend their event should contact the Office of Communications by calling 251-690-8823 or via email at mbryant@mchd.org.