In support of our goals to increase substance abuse awareness in the Suffield community and to provide information on prevention and available help resources, the Suffield Local Prevention Council (SLPC) will sponsor a Public Forum on March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Suffield Middle School auditorium.
During this presentation titled “Substance Abuse – Every Family Is At Risk” we will discuss substance abuse concerns from local and state perspectives, as well as personal stories of the risks of substance abuse and an overview of ways to get help, support and treatment.
As everyone is aware from news reports and social media there is a growing problem with substance abuse, and heroin use in particular, throughout the United States, in Connecticut, and yes, in Suffield.
We are encouraging parents to bring their high school and middle school students to this presentation which will be an excellent opportunity for all family members to hear the same facts and to provide a foundation for continued discussion at home.
The keynote speaker will be Francis Carino, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney, who will review the current substance abuse issues in Connecticut, discuss drugs kids are using and how they are getting them, and the role of social media. He will also talk about current drug laws and what law enforcement is doing.
Other speakers will include a parent who has lost a child to substance abuse, a young recovering addict, a member of a support group for people impacted by a loved one addicted to opiates, and a representative of the 211 hot-line here in Connecticut. The emphasis of these presentations will be on substance abuse awareness and recovery.
A Question and Answer session will follow to address issues and concerns with Forum attendees. The panel will include all speakers as well as representatives of the Suffield Police Department and Suffield VAA, and State Representative Tami Zawistowski.
There will be information tables and a medication collection station outside the auditorium entrance. If you are interested in participating with the SLPC there will be a sign-up sheet available.