A Community Conversation: Heroin & Other Opioids
February 28, 2018 | 7-9 p.m.
Auditorium | Minnie Howard Campus of T.C. Williams | 3801 W. Braddock Road
The U.S. is experiencing a nation-wide crisis as a result of the dramatic increase in the misuse of opioids, which include pain-relieving prescription drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl as well as illegal opioids like heroin. Incidences of opioid addiction, overdoses and deaths have risen dramatically across the nation to levels on par with the peak of the AIDS epidemic.
The crisis affects all ages, ethnicities, income levels and communities—including Alexandria, where the consequences of opioid misuse and addiction are affecting not only those who are addicted but also their families and local schools and neighborhoods.
Join with other Alexandria residents at this town hall to learn about the ways this national crisis is affecting our community and how City programs and services are responding.
The event will feature a panel of representatives from City services and programs describing the crisis and the various approaches being used by the City to address it locally. The panel will be followed by a question and answer section, during which the panelists and other City representatives will be available to answer questions from those attending. Agencies and programs scheduled to be on hand include:
- Alexandria City Public Schools
- Alexandria Police Department
- Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
- Department of Community and Human Services
- Health Department
- Inova Alexandria Hospital
- Sheriff’s Office
- Substance Abuse and Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA)
“A Community Conversation: Heroin & Other Opioids” is being coordinated by the Opioid Work Group, comprised of representatives from a wide range of City services and partners, including social services, law enforcement, schools and health providers. The Work Group takes a multi-dimensional approach to attacking the crisis by focusing on opioid addiction prevention and treatment, overdose response and recovery, diversion of addicted persons into treatment and supply reduction and law enforcement strategies.
If you need additional information about the event or have questions, contact Noraine Buttar at noraine.buttar@alexandriava.gov. For more information about the opioid crisis, its local impact and the Opioid Work Group, read “Opioid Crisis: Learn about it and how Alexandria is Responding” in Connect, a Department of Community and Human Services newsletter. You are encouraged to share, post and distribute this flyer about the event.