Huntington Opioid Task Force To Hold Public Discussion

The Town of Huntington Opioid Task force will hold its first public forum to discuss the opioid crisis on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

The forum kicks off at 7 p.m. in Huntington Town Hall.

“The drug epidemic has caused our families, friends and neighbors to suffer unthinkable pain and loss," Task Force co-chairs Jeffrey Reynolds and Mary Silberstein say. "Having our community come together will provide education, support, and access to resources to get the help we need to put us on the path of hope and recovery. Most importantly, this session will give town residents the opportunity to help pinpoint gaps in prevention and care and brainstorm solutions that will benefit our entire community.”

The event, titled "Huntington’s Heroin and Opioid Crisis, Our Community Matters," will hold five panels made up of professionals who will start a conversation on how to develop an action plan to solve the crisis. The professionals are made up of enforcement, treatment, recovery, health care and prevention specialists.

“I am looking forward to hearing from experts at the Opioid Task Force Public Forum to determine what solutions we can implement locally in coordination with our sister government agencies, law enforcement and the medical community," Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci said in a press release.

Due to the increasing overdose rates, the Town of Huntington started training their employees in how to safely administer Narcan earlier this year. The next step, Lupinacci says, is holding a public forum. "Of course, we must look at the bigger picture to understand and deal with the root causes of this pervasive public health crisis,” he says.

“Ending this epidemic requires leadership and commitment from the government policy makers, the community, health care professionals, law enforcement, and the justice system," Councilman Mark Cuthbertson says. "Working together we can keep communication open and close the gaps together."

Flyer via Task Force