By Marissa Dechant – Staff writer
A community-wide event aimed at raising awareness and support for the reduction of opioid misuse is set for Thursday, Sept. 21, at First Baptist Church of Franklin on Liberty Street.
Discussions and breakout sessions will take place in the church’s social hall from 12:30 to 4:15 p.m.
The conference will focus on identifying the role of the community in combating the opioid misuse epidemic. It will include discussion of health issues common to opioid users and provide information on current treatment options and local resources.
Speakers will include Venango County President Judge Oliver Lobaugh, Pennsylvania State Police community service officer Michelle McGee and Antoine Douaihy, the medical director of addiction medicine service and inpatient dual diagnosis at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh.
Between 2:25 and 4 p.m., breakout sessions will cover topics such as enhancing law enforcement and drug and alcohol treatment collaboration, hepatitis C and sexually transmitted disease risk and assessing warning signs and facilitating linkage to treatment.
Venango County Commissioner Albert “Chip” Abramovic will offer concluding remarks on evaluation and treatment.
Accreditation will be offered for the following programs: Pennsylvania State Nurses Association; Pennsylvania Certification Board under Provider Status Agreement No. 251; Licensed Social Worker renewal through the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work; and Continuing Education units through the MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center, Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh.
People may register for free online at https://http://http://www.maaetc.org/events/view/9512.
More information is available by contacting Susan Huffman with the Venango County Substance Abuse program at 432-9154.
