Workshops on the Opioid Addiction Crisis Scheduled in Morris County

Eleven community organizations and houses of worship partnered up to form "Community Partners for Hope" to stop the opioid addiction crisis that has gained prevalence across the country over recent years. These groups will host a series of events in Morris County to further educate residents on this problem and identify ways to help prevent it.

The first workshop in the series will be on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, 529 Newark Pompton Turnpike, in Pequannock. The newly created Community Partners for Hope will host the forum.

“Our goal is to educate the community about opioid addiction and to introduce them to resources, so they have places to turn for help,’’ said Doug Cook, a past president of the Pequannock Valley Rotary who is coordinating the Community Partners for Hope workshops. “This epidemic is everywhere,’’ Cook said.

At this forum, various experts on the opioid addiction crisis will speak — including Morris County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury and Dr. Phillip Devadan, medical director of Chilton Medical Center’s pediatric emergency department.

Atteendees will also hear from a guest speaker, who will discuss how heroin addiction affected their family first-hand.

Pequannock Police will set up a mobile drop box at the event so residents can safely dispose of unused, expired or unwanted prescription drugs.

The member organizations of the new Community Partners for Hope are: Chilton Medical Center; First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains; Good Shepherd Episcopal Church of Lincoln Park and Montville; Holy Spirit Catholic Church; NewBridge Services; Pequannock Municipal Alliance; Pequannock Township Coalition; Suburban Woman’s Club of Pompton Plains; The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviour; and W/HIM Women’s Hands in Mission.

Those interested in attending the Oct. 18 forum are encouraged to register online.

Recently, Morris County designated Oct. 6 as "Knock Out Opiate Abuse Day" to raise awareness to the opioid and addictions concerns. Different events were held countywide to educate families of the addictive qualities of opioid pain medicines and their link to heroin abuse. Community members also reached out to physicians and dentists who prescribe opiates and asked them to consider other therapies and treatment goals for patients.

“This is part of what will be a continuing countywide effort to make the community even more aware of the crisis we are facing, one that threatens every single family in our community,’’ said Freeholder Hank Lyon.

Freeholders also proclaimed Morris County as a "Stigma Free Community" to help people dealing with addiction and mental illness feel more accepted. Freeholders want to stop the negative stigma related with these issues, which can cause addicts to shy away from help that could lead them to recovery.

Community Partners for Hope will hold a second workshop with the date yet to be announced. A third workshop will be on April 5, 2017 at Pequannock High School.

Community Partners for Hope stems from the organization Grains of Hope, which draws 800 volunteers to pack over 150,000 meals a year for the hungry. Inspired by the progress of Grains of Hope, organizers wanted to take on other community concerns and started Community Partners for Hope.

Photo courtesy of Morris County Government