Our Community, Our Epidemic: Turning Drug Awareness Into Action
DEA and the United States Attorney’s Office host drug summit today
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of New York and the Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting “Our Community, Our Epidemic: Turning Drug Awareness into Action.” This summit, which will examine the prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic that continues to sweep across Western New York and the country, takes place today, November 14 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Lancaster High School, 1 Forton Drive, Lancaster, NY, 14086.
Experts from the medical profession, education, treatment and prevention, pharmacy industry and law enforcement communities will come together to examine the issue in depth and what the community can do address this deadly epidemic. The keynote speaker will be James Trapp, a 12 year NFL veteran and current Buffalo Bills Assistant Director of Player Engagement. He will share his struggle with drugs and alcohol.
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “Today’s event is focused on the number one public health crisis hitting American cities; opioid addiction. Similar to resource collaboration used in our enforcement task forces to dismantle drug trafficking organizations; today’s event is a collaboration of agencies representing law enforcement, treatment, medical, education and treatment agencies to increase the public awareness of heroin and prescription drug abuse. Our common goal is to educate the public on the dangers associated with opioid abuse in order to save lives.”
“Tragically, and on almost a daily basis, people of all ages in our community are losing their lives to prescription drug and heroin overdoses,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “By attending this program, the public will learn how to fight this epidemic, save lives, and bring relief to those suffering from the effects of these highly addictive and dangerous substances.”
In addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA, the summit is also supported by Kids Escaping Drugs, Save the Michaels of the World, the Erie County Health Department, Horizon Health Services, the University at Buffalo, D’Youville College School of Pharmacy, the Buffalo Bills, Independent Health, BlueCross, BlueShield of Western New York, WBEN 930am, New York State Senate Office of Timothy Kennedy, and Buffalo State College.
The event is free of charge and open to the public.
