Canton Library, Project SAVE, and CAASA Co-host Panel Discussion

On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, the Canton community gathered at the Canton Public Library to hear a panel discussion on one of the most pressing issues in our society today: substance abuse and the opioid epidemic. Graciously organized by Canton Public Library, Project SAVE (Substance Abuse Victim Empowerment) and CAASA (Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse), many renowned speakers in the field of substance abuse spoke to the audience about the facts and statistics regarding the opioid epidemic.

To start out the event, Canton Fire Chief Charles Doody welcomed everyone to the event and invited Allison Bauer, Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), to the podium to speak about the data pertaining to addiction and abuse, as well as preventive methods and recovery resources. Audience members were left stunned after the shocking facts revealed the magnitude of the issue.To follow, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey shared his views on the epidemic and offered ways of prevention and treatment for substance abuse. Next, Dan Muse, Emergency Medical Physician and MPTC Medical Advisor focused on the short term and long term effects of substance abuse. Targeting his presentation to high school students in attendance, he emphasized on the adverse effects of various types of drugs and alcohol. To wrap up the successful event, audience members were invited to share their views and ask questions about the epidemic and substance abuse. Numerous opinions were heard and the panelists had an opportunity to answer questions about the global problem. Towards the end, Chief Doody thanked everyone for coming, and commemorated the efforts of Project SAVE, a community problem solving project driven by a group of high school students trying to remove the stigma associated with substance abuse and also striving to lend a helping hand to those afflicted by substance abuse.

Members of Project SAVE shared their view with many community members, including Senator Walter F. Timilty and Representative William C. Galvin. To learn more about Project SAVE and their excited upcoming events, please contact projectsave1718@gmail.com, or check out their social media platforms at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/projectsave1718

Twitter: www.twitter.com/projectsave1718

Instagram: www.instagram.com/projectsave1718

If you want to donate to Project SAVE, please visit our GoFundMe.com page at https://www.gofundme.com/ProjectSAVE1718. All the donations will be used to increase the awareness of the dangers of substance abuse in Canton and neighboring towns and to assist the substance victims.