Serino and Gibson Team Up to Speak Out Against Heroin

Serino and Gibson Team Up to Speak Out

Against Heroin

HYDE PARK, NY—On Thursday, Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) teamed up with special guest, Congressman Chris Gibson, to raise awareness about the severity of the heroin and prescription drug epidemic in our local communities. Working in partnership with the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (C.A.P.E), the representatives were successful in hosting the 2^nd Annual Hyde Park Community Forum on Substance Abuse.

“We cannot afford to look the other way on this issue—we have kids being taken to emergency rooms for overdoses, we’re finding syringes on our streets—it’s here. Our kids’ lives are at stake,” said Senator Serino. “Enough is enough, we need to end this epidemic and that starts with education and awareness. I thank all of those involved with the forum for making this issue a real priority.”

“I want to thank Senator Serino, the Council on Addiction, Prevention, and Education of Dutchess County, and everyone who joined us in Hyde Park for this important conversation,” said Congressman Gibson. “I deeply appreciate our partnership and the opportunity to speak with fellow parents and educators about how we can keep drugs out of our communities. It is a tremendous honor to support these efforts in Congress, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to combat drug use in the Hudson Valley.”

Elaine Trumpetto, C.A.P.E Executive Director said, “Community problems require community solutions.  Substance abuse continues as a local, state, national and global challenge. Congressman Chris Gibson and Senator Serino’s efforts to continue to address this behavioral health issue serves every sector of the communities that they represent.”

Residents turned out to hear first-hand from families and young people in recovery, school resource officers on the front lines, experienced pharmacologists and addiction prevention experts who are working tirelessly to stop the scourge of heroin in local communities.

When asked why the Haviland Middle School was chosen as the forum for the event, Senator Serino reiterated the importance of education saying, “The sad fact is, this problem has become so pervasive that it’s affecting younger and younger individuals. The epidemic transcends demographics and our youngest community members have become the most vulnerable, so it’s imperative that education and awareness start as early as possible.”

“Events like this public forum lay a firm foundation from which to build and I truly believe they have the potential to change someone’s future and save lives.”

Residents can play an important role in curbing the epidemic by safely disposing of their unused prescription drugs. For more information on where residents can do so safely—and anonymously—please visit the following link:

http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/STOPDWI/DWPrescriptionDrugTakeback.pdf

For additional resources, please visit: http://capedc.org/

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