Annual Symposium On Addiction And Recovery Reached 150 People

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — More than 150 people attended Harford County's annual Symposium on Addiction and Recovery, which also hosted 38 exhibitors.

The mission of the annual symposium, held in Joppa, was to educate professionals and the public on issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse. Attendees benefitted from learning the latest developments, approaches and techniques.

The event featured keynote speaker Ryan Hampton, a prominent advocate, speaker, author and media commentator whose mission is to advance solutions to the national addiction and drug overdose crisis.

Breakout sessions were led by local experts and covered a range of important topics:

• Relapse Prevention – Sheamus Moran, Harbor of Grace

• Coordinating Treatment & Recovery – Shawn Martin, Local Addictions Authority

• Medication Safety in Older Patients – Butch Henderson, P.D, Pharmacy Director, Klein’s Family Markets

• The Ripple Effect: First Responder Perspective – Sandi Gallion, Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy

• Women in Recovery – Jennifer Aguglia, LCSW-C, Ashley Treatment

• Peer Support – Effective & Efficient Integration – Monica White, MABPCB President and Peer Committee Chair

The event also featured a panel discussion with the inaugural Opioid Restitution Fund awardees, moderated by ODCP Administrator Marcus Webster. Panelists discussed their frontline work in prevention, treatment, recovery and community education. The conversation helped underscore the efforts of these organizations in creating pathways to hope, healing and resilience across the county through the Opioid Restitution Fund.