New Canaan Experts To Address Opioid Epidemic In Town Hall Talk

"Athlete, Merit Scholar, Suburban Junkie: Protecting our Kids from the Opioid Epidemic" will take place Wednesday, Jan. 13, in the Town Meeting Room at New Canaan Town Hall. A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the program will be from 7 to 8:30. Kids in Grade 7 and up are invited to attend with their families.

The event will include a panel discussion, interactive presentation and question-and-answer period.

The panel discussion will be led by Dr. John Douglas, clinical director of Silver Hill Hospital’s Outpatient Addiction Program. It will also include New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski and high school Student Resource Officer Jason Kim; two local young adults in recovery; as well as addiction counselor Vince Benevento. It will be moderated by Judy Dunn of New Canaan Health and Human Services.

The panel will discuss causes of abuse and strategies for prevention; signs and symptoms of addiction; and treatment options.

Addictions to such drugs as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet are becoming common after they are prescribed as painkillers or used as recreational drugs. When the prescription runs out, addicts often turn to heroin, which is cheap and easy to buy.

This panel, convened by the town’s Department of Health and Human Services and the League of Women Voters, kicks off a year-long, town-wide campaign on behavioral health and drug abuse prevention, with a focus on opioids and opiates.

For more information, contact New Canaan Health and Human Services 203-594-3076.

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