Community PARTNERS GATHER TO ADDRESS OPIOID EPIDEMIC

CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ – MAY 11, 2018–

Concerned parents, youth leaders, community partners, and others gathered Friday, May 11 to address the current opioid addiction. This topic of the days event highlighted the current health crisis, Opioid Awareness, Protecting Our Teens!

“The disease of addiction doesn’t discriminate, it affects all of us,” said Jim Curtin, president of DAYTOP New Jersey. The daylong event included presentations on the status of the local opioid epidemics in New Jersey, personal stories from parents and individuals dealing with substance abuse issues, and the early signs that may lead to opioid or other illegal substances.

One of today’s attendees shared her experience as, “In terms of issues facing our youth and young people today, there may be no greater concern than the opioid epidemic. And no one is exempt,” said Angela Rines, director of youth & young adult ministries at Presbyterian Church in Morristown. “In my work with young people at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, I need to be proactive in resourcing the families I serve. This event provided me with fantastic local resources to do just that.”

The event was hosted by the Youth Protection Committee of Patriots’ Path Council, Boy Scouts of America in partnership with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. The symposium is hosted on a biannual basis addressing various youth protection concerns.

The day also included presentations encouraging participants to act, they were tasked with making three goals to help address and educate the epidemic. Youth workers were asked to check out Walgreens #ItEndsWithUs campaign, participants were trained in NARCAN training, and a tour of the HOPE One van and networking was done to develop ideas to address this health crisis.

Jim Curtin ended by stating, “Recovery is possible and when it happens we need to celebrate.”

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About Patriots’ Path Council

The Patriots’ Path Council, Boy Scouts of America (Council #358), is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preparing young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of good character, citizenship and personal fitness. Each year, the council serves more than 16,500 youth members and 5,000 leaders in the counties of Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and parts of Middlesex, New Jersey. Some 400 local organizations have a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Venturing crew, Varsity team or Exploring post as a part of their service to youth.