March 28, 2016

Area Legislators Host Opioid Addiction Awareness & Education Forum

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State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23) with State Senators Paul Formica (R-20) and Art Linares (R-33) as well as local officials and members of the community, heard heartfelt stories from residents about their experiences with loved ones addicted to opiates and others who offered possible solutions on ways our state can combat the growing opiate crisis in Connecticut in a packed Acton Public Library in Old Saybrook.

The forum titled ‘Opioid Addiction Awareness & Education’ consisted of anecdotes regarding prevention as well as the ugly truth of addiction. Legislators listened to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends of addicts as well as addicts themselves. They also heard firsthand stories from teachers, ministers and a physician.

Rep. Carney and Sens. Formica and Linares moderated the event, at certain points throughout the gathering topics discussed brought the room to a discerning hush.

Rep. Carney said, “Opiate addiction has unfortunately become a growing epidemic in our community. It’s up to us to address this crisis and seek new ways to promote prevention, awareness, communication with our youth, tighter controls on prescription opiates and increased access to quality treatment. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone on the panel and everyone who came out in support of this noteworthy cause.”

“At the State Capitol this year, we have an opportunity to enact policies which help address the addiction problem in a comprehensive way,” Sen. Linares said. “We appreciate the large turnout and we will bring your thoughts and ideas to Hartford.”

“We want to pass policies which can save lives,” Sen. Formica said. “These discussions help shape our debates and make us better informed legislators. Thank you to the people of Old Saybrook and surrounding towns for attending our forum.”

Some of the major topics discussed were:

Street access to drugs
Police enforcement
Role of educators
Responsibility of doctors
Funding for addiction services
Youth and parent education
Treatment

In addition to state legislators the panel consisted of the following:

Governor’s Prevention Partnership, Kristen Granatek
Department of Mental Health & Addiction Servicers Commissioner, Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon
New England HITA Drug Intelligence Officer, Robert Lawlor
Personal and Professional Experience, Allan Griffen
Project Courage Works, Counselor and Rehab Facilities Perspective, Andy Buccaro
Middlesex Hospital Paramedic Department, Jim Santacroce
Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services, Heather McNeil
MCSAAC Middlesex County Substance Abuse Action Council Director, Betsey Chadwick
Middlesex Hospital ER, Dr. Jeff Bernstein
Emergency Medical Services Coordinator from Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Ron Kersey
Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Bill Stanley
Medical Director of Rushford, Dr. J. Craig Allen
Old Saybrook Police Department Chief, Mike Spera