East Brunswick Town Hall On Opioid Abuse Tuesday Night

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Here's one last reminder that a very special event will take place at Hammarskjold Middle School in East Brunswick from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday night, Dec. 12: A presentation from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office about opioid abuse and what East Brunswick residents can do to keep their kids and families safe.

Middlesex County residents are urged to join the conversation on the opioid epidemic gripping the state and nation. The town hall series focuses on the link between prescription drug dependency and heroin abuse and examines the causes of the current opioid crisis and possible solutions in addressing the issue.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Wellspring Center for Prevention, the East Brunswick Alliance for the Prevention of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, East Brunswick Public Schools and 1450 WCTC are collaborating partners for the Middlesex County town hall.

WHERE: Jo Ann Magistro Performing Arts Center - Hammarskjold Middle School, 200 Rues Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, December 12 (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

WHO: Speakers will include:

• Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey
• New Jersey State Senator Joseph Vitale
• Vanessa Vitolo - Outreach Coordinator, Victory Bay Recovery Center
• Bonnie Nolan, PhD. Addiction Services Coordinator, Woodbridge Twp.
• Shuvendu Sen, MD, FACP - Director, Medical Student Education Raritan Bay Medical Center, Meridian Health
• Bert Baron, WCTC AM - NJ Broadcasters’ Association Radio Hall Of Fame

WHY: In New Jersey, an estimated 2,000 people died of an opioid overdose in 2016.

“All residents of New Jersey are encouraged to join the conversation and participate in their local Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall to understand the disease of addiction, develop strategies to help protect their families and identify resources to address individuals who have become dependent on prescription drugs or are abusing heroin,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

A dedicated website, knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org, has been created to provide a full schedule of countywide town hall meetings and registration information. Knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org also will provide local, county and state substance abuse prevention and treatment resources available.

Photo from the East Brunswick school district.