Guilford Lawmaker Scanlon Honored

Representative Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford, Branford) has been chosen by AIDS Connecticut to receive their 2015 Clarence Daniels Award for Outstanding Advocacy along with his colleague Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour) for their efforts to pass Public Act 15-198: An Act Concerning Substance Abuse and Opioid Overdose Protection. The new law, PA 15-198, took effect on October 1st.

“I am truly honored to receive the Clarence Daniels Award and to have worked with AIDS Connecticut in the fight to reduce substance abuse in our state,” said Scanlon. “For too long those struggling with addiction have been ignored and it’s past time to end the stigma and get people the help and support they deserve and I look forward to continue to work with AIDS Connecticut and others in this crucial effort.”

“AIDS CT is pleased to recognize the tremendous advocacy work that Representative Scanlon demonstrated during this legislative session on preventing opiate overdoses. The Representative’s leadership was key in passing comprehensive legislation that, at the end of the day, will save lives,” said Shawn Lang, Deputy Director of AIDS Connecticut.

Scanlon has made substance abuse prevention, specifically prescription drug abuse prevention, a central focus of his first term in the House of Representatives. In addition to co-sponsoring PA 15-198, Scanlon has been working with local leaders to educate the public about the growing rise in prescription drug abuse and the ways communities like Guilford and Branford can combat it.

First and foremost, that starts with properly disposing of unused and expired prescriptions that can fall into the wrong hands.

Last month, Scanlon teamed up with the Guilford Police Department and local students and parents for a “Drug Take Back Day” in which over 60 pounds of drugs were collected in under three hours.