Opiate Awareness Forum To Take Place In Hamden

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

HAMDEN, CT – The town will hold an “Opiate Awareness Forum” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Legislative Council Chamber at the Town Hall. The focus of the event will be on educating parents, guardians, and community leaders about the signs of opiate abuse, the devastating effects of drug addiction, and support resources available to the public. The event will feature a panel of speakers, as well as a question and answer session after the conclusion of panel presentations.

The event panel will be comprised of multiple distinguished guests, including Dr. Fuehrlein, M.D. Ph.D., graduate of the University of Florida, Addiction Psychiatry Fellow at Yale University, and current director of the psychiatric emergency room at the West Haven VA Hospital.

Dr. Teo-Carlo Straun, an experienced Board Certified Psychiatrist, Director of Straun Health and Wellness, and graduate of Yale School of Medicine specializing in addiction psychiatry will also be in attendance. Additionally, attendees will hear from Ana Gopoian, Founder and President of TriCircle Inc. along with personal reflections from recovering addicts and families.

“It is crucially important for our community members to come together, embrace the reality of this tragic opiate epidemic gripping our Nation, and work together to provide information and solutions to those individuals and families who are suffering from addiction,” Mayor Curt Leng said. “I strongly encourage Hamden’s parents, teachers, guardians, community activists, coaches, and counselors to come out on November 30th and join with other members of our community for an eye-opening evening of opiate addiction education and resource sharing. I will be there, and I hope to see a strong, powerful crowd of Hamden’s finest.”

School Superintendent Jody Goeler said, “Opiate addiction is a national, state and local concern. We have the opportunity to act locally to ensure Hamden has the awareness and the tools necessary to address this serious problem. This meeting is the first step.”

The Council Chamber doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive before the 6:00pm event start time to gather information and take their seats.

A selection of various addiction treatment and support resources will be available in the front lobby, along with light refreshments. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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