SERINO AND CAPE OF DUTCHESS COUNTY HOLD SUCCESSFUL HEROIN AND OPIOID COMMUNITY FORUM

HYDE PARK, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) and the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE) of Dutchess County held a successful community forum last night, April 14^th, at the Stissing Mountain Middle/High School in Pine Plains.

“Tackling a health epidemic like heroin and opioid abuse is no small task,” said Senator Serino. “The event aimed to raise awareness for important resources available locally to help those battling with addiction and to help individuals understand the kinds of actions they can take to make a difference, but most importantly, our goal is to have people leave these events with a sense of hope.”

The events are free and open to the public and aim to help individuals:

• Learn the signs of addiction and where to turn for help
• Safely dispose of unused prescription drugs
• Learn about the life-saving tools available to prevent overdoses with our Narcan training (Each individual who participates in the Narcan training will receive a free kit to take with them)

Serino continued, “Our state has finally started to recognize just how serious this epidemic really is which is why in this year’s State Budget, we dedicated an unprecedented $166 million to bolster prevention, treatment and recovery initiatives. These events build on the premise that tackling this epidemic will require a multi-pronged approach and send the message that while it may not be easy to overcome addiction or to help those who are struggling, by working together, raising awareness, lifting the barriers to access to important resources, we can save lives and provide hope to thousands of families battling addiction.”

For those who were not able to attend, there are two more opportunities to participate:

Wednesday, April 20 at Dover High School

2368 Route 22, Dover Plains, NY 12522

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm 

RSVP  (845) 877-5700 ext. 1282

Saturday, April 23 at the Amenia Town Hall

4988 NY-22, Amenia, NY 12501 

Time:  11:00 to 2:00 pm

RSVP (845) 518-4636

For those who cannot afford to attend the full event, but still want to dispose of their unused prescription drugs,  the prescription drug drop box will be up and running throughout the duration of each event, so community members can just drive up and drop them off.

Members of the community and local media are invited to attend any of the free events and only need to RSVP for the Narcan training portion of the events to ensure that enough kits are on hand for all who wish to participate.

The events are co-sponsored by Congressman Chris Gibson; Dover, Millbrook, Pawling, Pine Plains, and Webutuck school districts; Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro; Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health; Harlem Valley Community Coalition; Rebillard Public Relations; Sharon Hospital; and the Town of Amenia.

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