As part of our ongoing efforts to help find local solutions to our nation’s opioid abuse epidemic, CADCA is partnering with coalitions across the country to host community forums on this topic. The next one is on June 11 in the Boston area. Coalitions, their partners, parents and all interested citizens are invited to attend these community forums.
Prescription drug abuse, especially the abuse of opioid pain medication, is at epidemic proportions in our country. Nationally, one in five young adults has abused a prescription drug and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the number of deaths related to heroin overdose nearly tripled from 2010 to 2013.
Join experts at the “Needham Community Forum: Identifying Community Solutions to the Opioid Epidemic” held on Thursday, June 11th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Needham Town Hall in Needham, Mass. The event is being co-hosted by The Needham Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (NCYSAP) and the Needham Public Health Department.
During this forum, experts and community stakeholders will outline how prescription drug abuse and the opioid epidemic affects our communities and what can be done to enhance the safety and health of residents. Experts representing the entire continuum of service providers—from substance abuse prevention to recovery and support—will share their knowledge and experiences. The event will feature a presentation by Dr. John Kelly, Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS) at the Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as a panel discussion amongst a person in recovery, prevention leaders, and treatment professionals.
Click here to RSVP to this free event.
The first community forum was held in Lexington, Ky. on May 5 in partnership with Drug Free Lex and Bluegrass Regional Prevention Center. The discussion featured Van Ingram, Executive Director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, CADCA’s Mary Elizabeth Elliott and other local and state experts.
Other community forums will be held later this summer in Orlando, Fla. in partnership with CADCA member, Orange County Drug-Free Coalition, and in Cincinnati, Ohio with PreventionFIRST!, also a member of CADCA. Details will be available soon.
