#Middlebury #Southbury #OpioidCrisis
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Connecticut’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. James Gill issued an update Aug. 28, 2017, on the number of accidental drug abuse deaths for the first half of 2017. Based on the 539 deaths between Jan. 1 and June 30, he projects Connecticut will have 1,078 accidental drug abuse deaths by the end of this year. This is a 19-percent increase over 917 such deaths in 2016.
Deaths within this group are projected to be 644 due to fentanyl compared to 483 last year, about the same number due to heroin (514 this year compared to 508 last year) and fewer due to oxycodone (82 this year compared to 110 last year).
Warning bells are sounding about the opioid crisis in the U.S. and here in Connecticut. September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate those who have overcome addiction and to honor the treatment providers who make recovery possible. It also is a month with many local opportunities to learn more about this crisis and to train to administer Narcan in case of a drug overdose.
Dr. Michael Saxe will speak on the opioid crisis Sept. 5, Woodbury’s Walk Supporting Addiction Recovery is Sept. 8, Narcan training sessions open to the public are being offered in a number of area towns in September and October, and a Wellness Fair Sept. 16 in Southbury will provide information on opioid addiction along with information on many other health issues.
Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. Dr. Michael Saxe will speak about the opioid crisis in Connecticut and beyond at the Woodbury Public Library. Saxe has practiced emergency medicine in Connecticut for 32 years at Middlesex Hospital in its emergency departments in Middletown, Westbrook and Marlborough, Conn. He is a board-certified emergency physician.
As a result of his exposure to thousands of patients affected by the opioid epidemic, he has developed a special interest in the epidemic’s causes and solutions and has spoken and written widely to audiences of healthcare professionals and lay people. He has also been active in statewide physician organizations and the Connecticut state government in creating guidelines and regulations regarding the prescribing of opioids and opioid addiction medications. The program is free and open to area residents. Register at www.woodburylibraryct.org or call the library at 203-263-3502 for more information.
Woodbury’s Walk Supporting Addiction Recovery Friday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Hollow Park is in its 10th year. Walk founder and facilitator Lesley Gomez said the event, sponsored by the Woodbury-Bethlehem Parent Connection, is always the week after Labor Day. “It started small,” she said. “Last year more than 100 people participated.”
She said the event is meant to give hope to those who are still using substances, strength to those in recovery and to honor those we have lost to this epidemic. It includes gathering at the park, a walk down Main Street, a return to Hollow Park, lighting of candles and speaking the first names of those addicted or in recovery. Various groups provide informative literature explaining addiction and related issues.
“We wanted to do something to bring awareness to our community, and we thought that was the best way to do it – walk down Main Street,” Gomez said. More information on the walk is available at 203-266-0487.
The Saturday, Sept. 16, Wellness Fair, now being called the Mixed-Burys Wellness Fair, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ballantine Park in Southbury. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. This event, which includes information on opioids, is an umbrella event meant to educate families, individuals and seniors about health and wellness services available locally.
Exhibitors at this S.M.A.R.T.-sponsored event include massage therapists, gyms, hospitals, radiologists, behavioral health facilities, and home care services. The event also will offer games, prizes, food and music.
The Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Action Council (CNVRAC) has scheduled more than 10 free two-hour Narcan training sessions open to the public. CNVRAC Executive Director Jennifer DeWitt said of the training, “It’s for anyone that might be around somebody who has a drug problem – family member, friend, partner. It’s appropriate for a lot of different people. We want everyone to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose.”
Register for a session by calling 203-578-4044 or emailing CNVRAC1@famintervention.com. Please indicate which training date and location you prefer. That information follows.
- Middlebury: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6:30-8:30 pm, Shepardson Community Center, 1172 Whittemore Road
- Southbury: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30-8:30 pm, United Church of Christ, 283 Main St. N.
- Woodbury: Thursday, Sept. 14, 6:30-8:30 pm, Woodbury Fire Department, 25 Quassuk Road
- Waterbury: Monday, Sept. 25, 6-8 pm, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Kinney Hall Rm. K715
- Waterbury: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 6-8 pm, Neighborhood Housing, 161 N. Main St.
- Waterbury: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 9-11 am, Family Intervention Center, 22 Chase River Road
- Waterbury: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 5-7 pm, Family Intervention Center, 22 Chase River Road
- Waterbury; Wednesday, Oct. 11, 9-11 am, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Kinney Hall Rm. K715
- Wolcott: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 6 -8 pm, Senior Center. 211 Nichols Road
- Cheshire: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6-8 pm, Town Hall Council Chambers, 84 Main St.
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