Vernon Hosting Regional Forum on Opioid Crisis

VERNON, CT — Town officials and community activists are hosting a free forum and resource fair to educate the public about the effects of the "opioid crisis" locally and nationally.

The goal is to, "address and prevent substance abuse and prescription pill misuse, and outline resources available in Vernon and the surrounding area," organizers said.

The Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 5:30 to - 9 p.m. at the Rockville High School Auditorium, 70 Loveland Hill Rd., Vernon.

The event is sponsored by the Vernon ROCKS Coalition, a collaboration of community stakeholders, parents, youth, and volunteers working to prevent youth substance abuse, in partnership with the North Central District Health Department and the Town of Vernon.

The event will begin with a large resource fair highlighting local treatment and prevention resources.

The resource fair will also include the CT Association of Prevention Professional’s demonstration of
“Hidden in Plain Sight” (adults only), a program that sets up a mock teen bedroom where parents
can browse through and see the types of products teens are using to hide substances.

In addition, a Naloxone (Narcan) training will be available to attendees through Rockville Pharmacy. Narcan is an easily administered drug that can be used by trained individuals to save lives by
reversing an opioid overdose.

The guest speaker at the forum will be John Lally of Today I Matter, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to reducing the stigma and shame of mental illness and addiction, and promoting the
physical, emotional, and mental health of the community.

Following Lally's presentation, a panel discussion will be moderated by Dan Corcoran of NBC News and will feature local experts including the Judicial District of Tolland State's attorney, Matt Gedansky, Chief James Kenny of the Vernon Police Department, Steven Jackson, addiction counselor at Hockanum Valley Community Council, Dr. Robert Carroll Senior Medical Director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Eastern CT Health Network, Karen Colt, Director of Natchaug Hospital's Rivereast Treatment Center, and a person in recovery.

The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Refreshments and snacks will be available. The
Vernon ROCKS Coalition hopes to welcome parents/caregivers, grandparents, school personnel, and
the community at-large.

For more information about the Forum, contact: Kaitlin Carafa, Prevention Program Coordinator,
The Village for Families & Children, at kcarafa@thevillage.org or 860-999 4542.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel