Merrimack Valley 1st Annual Community Awareness Day

The Methuen Police Department, Methuen Fire Department and Holy Family Hospital will be sponsoring the Merrimack Valley 1st Annual Community Awareness Day on September 20 to engage members of the community to work together to address the issue of substance abuse.

The event, to be held at the Methuen Armory at 619 Lowell St. from 11am to 1:30pm, is free and open to the public. It has been organized by the Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project (MVPASAP), which was formed last year to raise awareness about the disease of addiction and holds monthly public meetings, currently at the Methuen Senior Center, where possible strategies to reduce substance abuse are considered.

“I have had countless discussions with residents across the Merrimack Valley who have been fighting tirelessly for their loved ones suffering from drug addiction,” said State Representative Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen), who helped to form MVPASAP and serves on the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the Legislature. “It is absolutely heartbreaking. I look forward to meeting with members of the community, many of who may have battled substance abuse themselves, for this event, as we raise awareness and consider all possible ways to address this growing problem.”

“Substance abuse affects everyone and is a public health epidemic that demands our attention,” said State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport). “I heard from advocates, clinicians, law enforcement, first responders and residents during the Senate Committee hearing that I hosted in Methuen and was proud to have voted on legislation to expand treatment options for those seeking recovery.”

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Jennifer Burns at createpeace143@gmail.com or Phil Lahey at Lahey2000@verizon.net.