Berrien County Health Department

09/02/2026

In today’s ma*****na products, the average potency of THC is 4x stronger than it was in the 1990s, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. That means the “high” is stronger and can have a larger impact on your teen’s brain, increasing the likelihood of mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression and psychosis like schizophrenia.

Learn more about the surprising facts about underage ma*****na use and how to talk with the teens in your life about the risks at berriencounty.org/1580/Get-the-Dirt-on-W**d.

This educational campaign about recreational and medical ma*****na was created to provide resources for parents, teens, schools, and more! Explore the pages below to find out more.  

08/31/2026

Overdoses cause a ripple effect felt by families, friends and our whole community. In honor of Overdose Awareness Day, we’re inviting you to our free drive-thru Narcan training to learn how this lifesaving medication can reverse an overdose.

Join us for this 15-minute training 9 a.m.-4 p.m. either:

🗓️ Today (Monday, Aug. 31) at our Benton Harbor office, 2149 E. Napier Ave.
🗓️ Tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 1) at our Niles office, 1205 N. Front St.

Registration is recommended for each vehicle and can be completed at https://berrienpublichealthdeptscheduling.as.me/schedule/f0de5eef/?calendarIds=7104609
or by calling 269.927.5622.

Participants ages 18 and older will receive a free rescue kit that includes Narcan. Participants younger than 18 can receive a kit with parental approval.

Can’t attend? A free Narcan vending machine is also available at the South County Building, 1205 N. Front St, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It’s anonymous and easy to use.

08/28/2026

🌟Teens are helping build a safer, healthier future for themselves, their peers and their communities.

This month, our Prevention team hosted a Teen Social Media Message Development Workshop at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan in Benton Harbor. Teens learned about the health risks of underage drug use, explored how to create a social media ad and brainstormed ideas they believe will resonate with their peers.

Their creativity and unique perspectives will help shape our future underage drug use prevention campaigns. Stay tuned for the top ads!

08/27/2026

UPDATE: The swim advisory has been lifted for Jean Klock Park and Beach after updated water test results show safe swimming conditions.

⚠️ Jean Klock Park and Beach are temporarily closed for swimming due to high levels of E. coli, an indicator of waste contamination that may signal the presence of other harmful bacteria. Our Environmental Health team discovered the elevated levels during weekly water sampling and testing.

➡️ Check back on our social media for updates on the beach closure. Updates will also be available on Beach Guard, where you can check swimming conditions at Michigan beaches: mienviro.michigan.gov/nsite/beach/map/results.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to keep our community safe.

08/26/2026

A lot happens behind the scenes to improve the health and well-being of our community. Our 2025 Annual Report highlights the great work our team accomplished throughout the year, including:

💚 Supporting families across the lifespan
🩵Continuing to invest in prevention
💚Expanding outreach
🩵Advancing technology
💚Strengthening reporting and performance efforts

📖 Take a look at the progress we made in 2025 and explore how we’re working to build a healthier Berrien County at berriencounty.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/677.

08/25/2026

Every baby has their own way of saying they’re hungry or full. Learn about responsive feeding and how to recognize early hunger and fullness cues from Michigan WIC peer counselors in this video:
drive.google.com/file/d/1eu5efvq7WOc5EGxy8ed6W90vir8nfWi5/view?usp=sharing.

🩵 Our team and Michigan WIC are rooting for you! We’re here to answer questions, provide encouragement and support your feeding goals.

08/24/2026

💧 Free water filters are now available to eligible Berrien County residents!

The State of Michigan has expanded its water filter program to all eligible Berrien County residents, including those who live in the City of Benton Harbor.

You may qualify for a free water filter and replacement cartridges if:

• You live in Berrien County AND
• You have a Medicaid-enrolled child younger than 19 living in your home OR a Medicaid-enrolled pregnant person living in your home.

👉 Learn more about the program, eligibility and how to request a filter: berriencounty.org/1599/Water-Lead-Response-in-Benton-Harbor.

08/21/2026

👶 💚 We’ve added safe sleep tips and resources to our website so you can protect your baby and support healthy sleep habits. Visit berriencounty.org/SafeSleep to learn more.

Do you need a safe place for your baby to sleep? Eligible families can receive a safe sleep-approved pack and play for free. Find details and schedule an appointment by visiting berriencounty.org/SafeSleep or calling 269.926.7121.

08/20/2026

It’s National Immunization Awareness Month – a perfect time to make sure your child's immunizations are up to date before the first day of school. Immunizations help protect your child, their classmates and our community from preventable diseases.

Stop by our Back-to-School Bash to complete all your child’s state-required immunizations and hearing, vision and dental screenings – all in one place.

⏰8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
🗓️Tuesday, Aug. 25 at our Benton Harbor office, 2149 E. Napier Ave.
🗓️Thursday, Aug. 27 at our Niles office, 1205 N. Front St.

Find more details at berriencounty.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/2536.

08/19/2026

There’s no need to watch the clock. Responsive feeding means watching your baby, not the schedule. By following your baby’s hunger and fullness cues, you may support:

💚 Better milk supply
💚 A happier baby
💚 Less stress during feedings

➡️ Need more support? We offer breastfeeding services free of charge, such as breastfeeding peer counselors, certified lactation consultants and a breastfeeding support warmline. Learn more at berriencounty.org/701/Breastfeeding-Support.