Providence Mayoral Candidates Discuss Recovery, Addiction At Forum

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Recovery Advocacy Project is hosting a forum for Providence mayoral candidates to discuss issues around recovery, addiction and harm reduction.

Candidates Brett Smiley, Nirva LaFortune and Gonzalo Cuervo have committed to attend, according to an RSVP page for the event. Find that RSVP page here.

The candidate Q&A is scheduled for 7 p.m., and is moderated by NBC 10's Alison Bologna. Anchor Recovery is hosting the event at the Jim Gillen Teen Center, 1280 North Main St., in Providence.

According to the event flyer, the "recovery community will share their experiences and ask candidates their plans in addressing substance use disorder and the intersectionality of so many other issues impacting our Providence community in relation to recovery. There will be time for questions from people in the recovery community and time to hear from each candidate."

According to an overdose report centered around downtown Providence released in 2020, the state is ranked 11th in fatal overdoses as of 2018. Providence, specifically, paints a troubling picture of the opioid crisis.

The City of Providence Healthy Communities Office contracted the Rhode Island Public Health Institute for a study of the overdose crisis in the 02903 zip code, which includes downtown Providence and the surrounding neighborhoods.

What the study found is that although the zip code has among the fewest residents of any in the city, it features "the highest burden of opioid overdose-related Emergency Medical Service runs."

For the full study, click here. To RSVP for the forum, click here.