Oakland County Bar Association hosts seminar on Substance Abuse Epidemic

Oakland County Bar Association to Present Seminar on Impact of Substance Abuse in Oakland County

Substance abuse continues to rise in the United States, resulting in the deaths of millions of people across the county and nearly 2,000 in Michigan alone. This program, presented by the OCBA’s Municipal, Criminal and Medical-Legal committees, features a panel of national and local experts assembled to discuss the scope of the opioid and heroin crisis in Michigan. These experts will identify strategies for combatting the epidemic in Michigan, and share information and resources to help address the crisis.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN OUR CITIES AND SUBURBS: A COORDINATED RESPONSE TO STOP THE EPIDEMIC takes place on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. at the Oakland County Commissioner’s Auditorium in Pontiac.

Panelists include Dr. Ljubisa J Dragovic, MD, Oakland County Chief Forensic Pathologist and Medical Examiner; Chief Jerry Narsh, Village of Lake Orion Chief of Police; Judge Richard D. Kuhn, Waterford District Court; Christina Nicholas, Administrator of Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Services, Oakland Community Health Network; Julie Brenner, Executive Director of the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities; Dr. David Neff, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; and Dr. Jessica Gayta, PharmD, BioMed Specialty Pharmacy.

Topics of discussion will include current and future trends in opioid abuse at local, state and national levels; the effects of mental and physical effects of addiction on children, families and communities; and the role of drug courts and the criminal justice system in combating the problem. In addition, the panel will review alternative pain management protocols and how the medical field can assist in reducing addiction.

This event is free of charge and is sponsored by BioMed Specialty Pharmacy; Lisa Anderson, Esq., Johnson, Rosati, Schultz, Jopich PC; Emily Thomas, Esq., Reiter & Walsh, PC; and the Law Office of J. Randall Secontine, PLLC. Beverages and a continental breakfast will be provided.

Attendees must pre-register by May 2, 2017. To register, go to www.ocba.org/events.

The Oakland County Commissioner’s Auditorium is located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan.

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The Oakland County Bar Association was founded in 1934 and has a long history of service to the legal profession and to the community. With more than 2,700 members, the mission of the Oakland County Bar Association is to serve the professional needs of our members, improve the justice system and ensure the delivery of quality legal services to the public.