Packets of potentially lethal heroin – similar to the ones shown hear labelled as ‘Theraflu’ – have reportedly made their way into Chautauqua County. The rise in opiate drug use in the county has lead county officials to schedule a Community Forum on drug abuse on March 12 in Mayville. (Image from CNN)
MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan is encouraging the entire community to attend a Community Forum on drug abuse in Chautauqua County, set to take place next week in Mayville. In addition, he’s announcing two new related forums that will take place in Jamestown and Dunkirk.
The Community Drug Forum will be held on Wednesday, March 12 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville.
In addition, two family forums will take place in both Jamestown and Dunkirk. The first Family Forum will be held on March 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Room 116 at the Jamestown Community College North County Center, (10807 Bennett Rd.) in Dunkirk. The second Family Forum will be held on March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Carnahan Theater at Jamestown Community College (525 Falconer St.) in Jamestown.
The Family Forums will be led by parent representatives from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASAS) and will offer families of those struggling with addition the opportunity to share their stories, identify system barriers, and suggest action steps going forward.
Horrigan has been working with Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene Commissioner Patricia Brinkman on the event, which has been scheduled due to the rise in drug use throughout communities in Chautauqua County.
“We will have an open conversation with this community on everything from the enforcement side to the treatment side to the education side,” Horrigan explained. “How are we doing to care for those, as well as how do we enforce the laws and how do we reduce and turn around the trend of this abuse in our county that is affecting so many people and taking lives.”
For the March 12 community forum in Mayville, the morning presentations will include Dr. David Withers; Michele Spahn of the DEA; William Matthews of Harm Reduction Coalition; and a parent and advocate, Avi Israel who lost his son as a result of addiction. Afternoon presentations will include a panel discussion and question and answer session.
Public input and public engagement, including questions and answers will also be encouraged and facilitated throughout the day.
The event is free and a box lunch made available by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation will be provided for all attendees. To ensure there is an accurate count for lunch, residents should register for the event by March 5.
For more information about the forums and to register for the Community Forum contact Marilyn Wright at (716) 753-4507.
Leave a Reply