Opioid Addiction Task Force Working Fiercely To Save Lives

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The war against opioid continues continues, with dedicated task force members working fiercely to save lives.

The Southampton Opioid Addiction Task Force has planned a new public forum, scheduled for April 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Southampton High School.

According to newscaster and co-chair of the task force Drew Scott, who lost his beloved granddaughter Hallie to an overdose, the venue is large, with room for 1,000 people.

"We want to pack the auditorium. So we will need your help to spread the word and invite everyone you know to this forum," he said.

Next, on May 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., a candlelight vigil is planned for Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays.

"It is Mother’s Day weekend. As such, we thought the Saturday night vigil would be poignant — to come together as a community to remember those who have been lost to the opioid epidemic," Scott said.

He added, "We still have a great deal of work ahead but we are making progress. Thanks to each of you for giving your time and effort to help save lives."

Scott said the task force is looking forward to the April 11 event because many people missed a chance to meet with the group when they met in Hampton Bays.

"Residents may have formulated new questions about opioid addiction that we would hope to answer," he said. “Also many new task force members have joined since we last met."

When the task force was first formed in October, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said a full range of stakeholders were tapped to participate.

The group's mission is "to develop a concise action plan to address the crisis of opioid addiction and examine best practices and responses to reduce the opioid epidemic," town officials said.

The Southampton Town Opioid Addiction Task Force is comprised of health care professionals, educators and community leaders who will make specific recommendations to the town board to help stop the growing opioid public health crisis.

The task force meets at least once a month and will present a plan to the town board by June 1, Scheiderman said.

The Southampton Opioid Addiction Task Force was formed in addition to the already established New York State Task Force to combat heroin and the newly created Suffolk County Heroin and Opiate advisory panel, Schneiderman said.

The Southampton task force is co-chaired by Schneiderman and Scott.

When asked why the task force was created, Schneiderman replied: "We've heard way too often lately, these stories about young people, in particular, falling victim to drug overdoses. We've got to come up with solutions to opioid addiction and drug overdoses. I don't have the answers. The idea is to pull educators, school administrators, police officers, social workers, mental health professionals, community leaders, elected officials — everybody — into the same room and try to generate a list of action items based on what's working in other areas."

Schneiderman added that, when discussing the crisis, suggestions such as keeping the drugs out of kids' hands by cutting off supplies may be offered, in the case of prescription pain killers, it's much more difficult.

Even if an attempt is made to stem that tide by addressing the issue of doctors who regularly prescribe opioids, "there are other pieces to why kids are engaging in at risk behaviors," Schneiderman said. "There are societal and mental health issues."

While the supervisor said he "doesn't claim to have all the answers," he said, "There is a growing concern about the problem and willingness to try and change the current course."

Schneiderman said he is happy that Scott joined the task force.

"Drew Scott's whole life has been rocked by this recent event," Schneiderman said. "And yet, he's willing to step up and co-chair this task force. Drew has an important role to play within the community. He's a trusted voice and well known, and he's been personally affected — and really wants to make a difference."

Patch file photos.