Oxford Names Members To New Opiate Crisis Steering Committee

OXFORD, CT — The Oxford Board of Selectmen has appointed members to the newly formed Opiate Crisis Steering Committee. The members are: Susan Schiavi, Thomas Gugliotti, Vincent Provenzano, Laura Denslow, Dr. Heather Ferrillo-DiIullio, Kenn Maher, The Rev. John Donnelly, and Madalene Taggart.

Liaisons include: Sgt. Dan Semosky, Jodi Zaleha, Pam Mautte, and Lorri McFarland. According to the discussion at the recent Board of Selectmen meeting: "The group wants to really run with this and is working on innovative programs. All of these people had a tremendous contribution to make on this committee. It will be a more productive way to do things. Jeff Haney had suggested when the meetings are held have each meeting end, and then have an open forum. First Selectman Temple stated that one of the members on the committee will take notes and that this is an open meeting," according to meeting minutes.

First Selectmen George Temple has said the opioid crisis was "a real problem" in town, stating young people in their 20s were being lost to opioid addiction and overdoses. He said in recent years seven young people had died from overdoses in town, stating "Oxford has one of the highest rates" of overdoses for a town its size in the state.

Patch corresponded Jack Kramer contributed to this story.