Meetings to raise awareness of current opioid and heroin crisis
Each of the five high schools in Roanoke County will host a community meeting to raise awareness of the current public health crisis related to opioid and heroin addiction. Each meeting is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.
- Monday, Feb. 20 – Hidden Valley High School
- Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Cave Spring High School
- Monday, Feb. 27 – Northside High School
- Tuesday, Feb. 28 – Glenvar High School
- Thursday, Mar. 2 – William Byrd High School
Each meeting will feature several community speakers including law enforcement, parents, and those recovering from addiction that will address how youth are obtaining prescription medication, how abuse of prescription drugs leads to heroin abuse and how to find resources to help with addiction.
“On Nov. 21, 2016, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that the Virginia opioid addiction crisis had been declared a Public Health Emergency,” said Taisha Steele, Coordinator of Counseling Services for Roanoke County Public Schools. “Opioid and heroin addiction is a growing problem in the Roanoke Valley,” Steele said.
“Opioid and heroin addiction is a community problem that requires a community solution,” said Nancy Hans, Executive Director of The Prevention Council of Roanoke County. “A decade ago, we didn’t know how dangerous opioid addiction could be and the connections between opioids and heroin. Now we know, and now we can help our parents and youth understand the dangers and make better choices,” Hans said.
These meetings are being held through a partnership with Roanoke County Public Schools, The Prevention Council of Roanoke County, and the Roanoke Valley Opioid and Heroin Prevention Task Force.
-Submitted by Chuck Lionberger
