United States Drug Enforcement Administration

More than 3,000 Students to Participate in the New Mexico Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness

The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation in partnership with the DEA 360 Campaign to hold educational event promoting healthy choices and a drug-free lifestyle for students

                             

What:   Public health officials refer to the opioid drug epidemic as the worst drug crisis in American history. According to the National Safety Council, for the first time in America, a person has a   better chance of dying from an opioid overdose than being killed in a motor vehicle crash. The  Council also determined that a person has a better chance of dying from an overdose than from       a gun assault, pedestrian incident, fire or smoke, or fall. In 2017, close to 500 people died from an overdose in New Mexico. The statistics are alarming.  Experts agree that education an awareness is a critical component in battling this public health crisis.

 

               On Wednesday, March 6, more than 3,000 middle and high school students will participate in  a Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness. The Summit has been specifically designed to address this killer epidemic by promoting healthy choices and educating  students about the dangers of    opioid misuse and abuse. The event will feature a showing of If Only, a short film produced by James Wahlberg. DEA Special Agent in Charge, Kyle Williamson,  will talk about the dangers of prescription and illicit drugs, the impact of opioids in our communities and the types of drugs  confiscated in our own backyards.  There will also be a special focus on how students can help combat this epidemic by engaging in healthy lifestyles and accessing local resources.

                             

Where: Santa Ana Star Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle, Rio Rancho

 

When: Wednesday, March 6

               Pre-Program: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

               Official Program: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

                             

Who:     Featured Speakers Include:

               James Wahlberg, Executive Director, The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

               Kyle Williamson, Special Agent in Charge, El Paso Division, DEA

               Karen Trujillo, Secretary, Public Education Department

               Greg Hull, Mayor, Rio Rancho

               Dr. Julianna Reece, CMO, Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service

               Court McGee, UFC Champion and Founder, The McGee Project

               Jennifer Weiss-Burke, Executive Director, Serenity Mesa Youth Recovery Center

               James Torres, Market Manger, Walmart

               Jennifer Haddock, Health and Wellness Director, Walmart

               Youth leaders in active recovery will share their stories.

 

               Special Musical Performance: Chevel Shepherd, The ‘Voice’ Winner