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Session will address opioid epidemic

by | May 5, 2017 | Health & Wellness

Opioids are claiming the lives of more and more area residents.

Last year, 72 people in Planning District 16 died from opioid overdoses, according to preliminary statistics from the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

In an effort to stem the rising tide of deaths, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board is partnering with Mary Washington Healthcare in sponsoring “A Community Effort to Address the Crisis: The Opioid Epidemic on May 10.”

Joined by such community partners as Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, the Rappahannock Area Health Department and the Community Foundation, RACSB hopes this event will provide an opportunity to learn about efforts to combat the crisis and serve as a call to action for individuals and organizations.

The event will feature light refreshments, a preview of the film “Chasing the Dragon,” and a town hall meeting. Attendees will learn more about the opioid epidemic, its impact on the local area and available resources.

“Nearly every day at RACSB, we see people who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic,” said Deputy Executive Director Jane Yaun. “We have increased our substance abuse services, but solving this public health emergency is larger than one organization and needs to be a community effort. So we are excited to join Mary Washington Healthcare and other community partners to address this issue. This meeting is just the beginning of a collaboration that is sure to save many lives.”

The event will start at 5 p.m. at the John F. Fick Conference Center of the Mary Washington Hospital campus in Fredericksburg. Registration is required. To register or to learn more, call Health Link at 540/741-1404 or 800/722-2788.

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