Mahoning County Juvenile Court, Mental Health and Recovery Board, and Community Partners will Host Community Opioid Summit at Covelli Center
Youngstown, Ohio October 31, 2017 Mahoning County Juvenile Court will host a Community Opioid Summit which will be open to the public on Friday, November 3, 2017, from 10:00am- 1:00 pm at the Covelli Center. The event is being sponsored by the Mahoning County Juvenile Court Advisory Board and the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board. Mona Alexander and Derek Steyer from WFMJ-TV21 will moderate the event. Senator Robert Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown will provide video messages regarding statewide efforts to combat the growing epidemic.
Speakers include: Carolyn Givens, Director, Neil Kennedy Recovery Center, Brenda Heidinger, Associate Director, Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, Magistrate Carla Baldwin, Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center, Dr. Joseph Sitarik, Neil Kennedy Recovery Center, as well as a person and family member who have experience with addiction. Speakers will discuss prevention, treatment and a questions and answer session will follow from 12:00-1:00pm.
Judge Theresa Dellick said, “The forum was assembled to respond to the serious epidemic confronting our families.” The Summit will address the history of the epidemic, whether addiction is a disease, and explain the myths of addiction. It is her hope that parents, grandparents, friends, employers, family members and the community come together in an effort to address the needs of those struggling with addiction.
Duane, Picirilli, Director of the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, stated “help is available to families and the summit will discuss resources.”
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and families will be provided information regarding community programs and assistance that is available.