Tewksbury Will Raise Awareness Of Opioid Crisis In October

TEWKSBURY, MA -- The Tewksbury Police Department is working with the board of selectmen and the school committee to program a series of events in October for the town's Substance Use Prevention and Education Month, which starts Sunday. Like manay Massachusetts communities, Tewksbury has been hard hit by the opioid epidemic: since January 1, Tewksbury has had 75 reported overdoses and 10 deaths related to substance abuse.

It is the sixth year Tewksbury has held the event. "The Tewksbury Police Department feels that it is not only important to target the student population during this month long endeavor but also the adult and senior populations of Tewksbury and the surrounding communities," the police department said in a statement.

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Among the events already scheduled for Tewksbury Substance Use Prevention and Education Month:

October 15, 6:30 PM-8:00 PM, Candle Light Vigil: Lahey Behavioral Health Services and Tewksbury Police Department will host a vigil in remembrance of those who’ve died as a result of the disease of addiction, as well as for those loved ones who are in recovery and mourning. Tewksbury State Hospital, 365 East Street, Tewksbury. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to all.

October 17, 10:00 AM, Older Adults and Substance Abuse: Join Joseph Hannon LADC1, LICSW, from Elder Services of The Merrimack Valley Inc., for a conversation about how the opioid epidemic is effecting the senior citizen population. Bayberry at Emerald Court, 2000 Emerald Ct, Tewksbury. Light refreshments to be served. This event is free and open to all.

October 17, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM, Narcan Training at the Tewksbury Farmer’s Market: Tewksbury Police Department staff will be on hand to train individuals on the administration of nasal Narcan. Tewksbury Town Common, 1009 Main Street, Tewksbury. This event is free and open to all.

October 18, 10:00 AM, Veterans and Spouses Information Session: Join Joseph Hannon LADC1, LICSW, from Elder Services of The Merrimack Valley Inc for a conversation about how the opioid epidemic and other issues are effecting Veterans and their spouses. Tewksbury Senior Center, 175 Chandler Street, Tewksbury. This event is free and open to all.

October 19, 12:30 PM-1:30 PM, Tewksbury News Discussion Group: Please join Tewksbury Police Chief Timothy Sheehan and other members of his staff for an interactive presentation outlining the magnitude of the opioid crisis in Tewksbury and the strategies being employed, from prevention all the way through to treatment, to combat the issue. Tewksbury Public Library, 300 Chandler Street, Tewksbury. This event is free and open to all.

October 28, 10AM-2PM, Prescription Drug Takeback: Please bring your unwanted and unused medication to the Tewksbury Police Department for proper medication disposal. Tewksbury Police Department, 918 Main Street, Tewksbury. This event is free and open to all.

To learn more about the programs schedule for this week or to get involved, contact Officer Jennie Welch at (978)851-7373, ext. 230 or Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative Program Director Maria Ruggiero at (978)851-7373, ext. 352.

Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites).