tapinto.net: Hawthorne Gospel Church to Host "Knock Out Opioid Abuse" Town Hall

5/2/2018

HAWTHORNE, NJ – A panel of speakers will gather at the Hawthorne Gospel Church, found at 2000 NJ Route 208, Hawthorne, as part of an effort by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey and Horizon Foundation for New Jersey to help tackle the opioid crisis which is afflicting the state.  The Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall Series is returning to Passaic County and will be held in Hawthorne on Thursday, May 3, 2018, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for registration.  Registration can be found at the website Knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org 

"We hope to make some progress on this huge issue," said Matt Birchenough, a spokesman for the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.  "It's a state-wide effort but we want to look at things on the really local level, too, and see what's working.  We have programs in other counties and have seen positive progress.  We are hoping we can educate and hear from people with their thoughts and ideas."

The opioid abuse crisis, where individuals become hooked on highly addictive prescription painkillers and opium based drugs like heroin, has gained the attention of state and national leaders.  Former Governor Chris Christie highlighted the opioid crisis in New Jersey during his term and efforts have continued since.  On April 23, US Senators Cory Booker, Bob Menendez, and Congressman Bill Pascrell joined Kevin Slavin, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s in Paterson, with his team, to review the progress made by the Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) initiative launched by Dr. Mark Rosenberg two years ago.

All Passaic County residents have been invited to attend the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall, a program which brings together the church with United for Prevention in Passaic County and Desire 4 Hope.