East Windsor Township isn’t waiting on opiod abuse to overtake the community. So town officials are being proactive in their approach to battling the situation.
To that end, the township is holding a “Knock Out Opioid Abuse” Town Hall at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at the East Windsor Senior Center (40 Lanning Boulevard).
The program will include panels and presentations on an overview of the epidemic seen through public health and law enforcement perspectives; an overview of responses through prevention strategies and legislative approaches; and challenges to treatment and recovery, as well as information on local East Windsor initiatives.
The speakers for the event will include East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri; Tammy Leigh, manager of Emergency Services, RWJ./Barnabas Health Systems; Assemblyman Daniel Benson; Barbara Sprechman, Prevention Coalition of Mercer County; and representatives of various groups including Recovery Advocates and NJ Addiction Recovery Public Advocacy Program.
“Opioid abuse has risen dramatically as a growing public health emergency in all of our communities across the state and nation," said Mayor Mironov. "As so many individuals and families have and will be impacted by opiate abuse and addiction, it is important to help raise awareness of this growing health crisis and to provide support to those battling its effects. This event is an opportunity for citizens to demonstrate their unity in formulating strategies to fight this disease.”
The mayor urged residents to attend and "to join township officials and other residents to hear advocates and professionals, to have your voice heard and be part of the solution to end opioid abuse in our community.”
Council Member Peter V. Yeager, coordinator of the East Windsor Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, said the event is a great opportunity for residents to become better educated on the risks and signs of abuse and to learn more about the treatment options available to those suffering from addiction.
"We must work together as a community to educate our citizens about the dangers of opiate abuse and support those suffering from this addiction and their families,” said Yeager.
The Town Hall is open to everyone. There will be a question-and-answer session at the end of the formal program. The event is being sponsored by East Windsor Township, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, East Windsor Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, and the Prevention Coalition of Mercer County.
