The Louisiana Department of Health is hoping to raise awareness and share best practices for fighting the opioid epidemic this week at the Opioid Action Summit and Town Hall.
Office of Behavioral Health Deputy Assistant Secretary Dr. Janice Petersen says the program may be state-organized, but it’s put on primarily for the public. She says there will be breakout sessions covering a range of topics.
“Looking at the social determinants of addiction, looking at successful law enforcement interventions, and taking a look at shame and stigma.”
And they’re hoping for a wide range of attendees from recovering addicts to those who work local outreach.
OBH Assistant Secretary Karen Stubbs says there’s a few major themes for the week.
“Building community coalitions, talking about addressing the opioid epidemic in specific populations, and the utilization of peers in recovery.”
Stubbs says they’re expecting at least 500 people to show up to scheduled events that run throughout the rest of the week at the Slidell Harbor Center.
In 2018 there were more than 450 opioid-involved deaths, a 187 percent increase from 2012. Petersen says the summit is a great way to continue to increase awareness of the epidemic’s devastating consequences.
“Letting people understand that the opioid epidemic affects us all, everybody in all communities.”
