The Rescue Mission of Trenton will host a community forum on opioid abuse on Tuesday, June 16. The forum is open to the public and will be held at the Mission at 505 Perry Street in Trenton. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the panel discussion will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Parking is available at the Mission’s lot on 98 Carroll Street.
Last year, the number of opioid-related deaths claimed nearly 800 lives of New Jersey residents. Ongoing public education, awareness, and community support can spearhead prevention efforts and save lives.
The community forum will mark the one-year anniversary of the State of New Jersey Narcan Expansion Program. Last June, Governor Chris Christie announced the statewide expansion at the Rescue Mission of Trenton – the expansion allows first responders and law enforcement officials to administer medication in the event of an overdose.
Since the expansion, police departments across the state have implemented measures and training programs to prepare for such situations. Communities have rallied together to spread public awareness about opioid abuse and the safe disposal of prescription medication.
The community forum will feature a guest panel including: Eric Edwards, Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Vice President of Research and Development for kaléo Pharma; Paul Ressler, CEO and President, The Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation (TOPAC); Dr. William D. Stanley, Medical Director for Rescue Mission of Trenton, Medical Director for Summit Behavioral Health; Barbara Schlichting, Executive Director for Somerset Treatment Services; Meredith LoBuono, Outpatient Program Manager, Rescue Mission of Trenton. Michele Siekerka, President of the NJ Business & Industry Association, will serve as guest moderator.
“The Mission is pleased to host this community forum on such an important issue. Opioid abuse is a very real issue for so many communities and the Mission hopes that this conversation will continue ongoing, public education in an effort to save lives, “said Mary Gay Abbott-Young, Chief Executive Officer of the Mission.
The conversation is supported by the City of Trenton Department of Health and Human Services, Mercer County Office on Addiction Services, City of Angels NJ, Inc., National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – New Jersey, Trenton Health Team, New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.
Last December, the Mission received a donation of EVZIO naloxone auto injectors from kaléo, a pharmaceutical company based in Richmond, Va. Mission staff have been trained to administer the medication in the event of an overdose. kaléo Pharma will continue their efforts to widen access to naloxone and increase public education about opioid abuse by participating in next week’s forum. Eric Edwards, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, is a guest panelist.
The Rescue Mission of Trenton is the agency in the City of Trenton that serves the truly needy men and women who have no place to turn for shelter, food, and clothing. 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Mission providing a safe, clean, warm refuge for the homeless, the hungry, the transient, and the addicted.
This event is open to the public. Tickets are available by contacting samanthab@rmtrenton.org or (609) 964-0414 ext. 100.