By Sue Epstein | NJ Advance Media for nj.com 
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on September 26, 2014 at 11:46 AM, updated September 26, 2014 at 11:47 AM

NEW BRUNSWICK —The federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will host a symposium Wednesday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick on combating opiate addiction.

An announcement issued by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said participants include national and state leaders along with physicians from across New Jersey who will discuss possible solutions to the abuse of prescription drugs.

The announcement said the event is titled “Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Do No Harm Symposium.”

Among those attending will be Special Agent Matthew Wilmott, division supervisor for the DEA, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey, Steve Lee, the acting director of the state Division of Consumer Affairs, Sindy Paul, medical director for the state Department of Health and Senior Services, and several other prominent doctors at Saint Peter’s University Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-both in New Brunswick.

“The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem in New Jersey,” the announcement said. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic.”

The announcement said that prescription drug abuse has led to an epidemic of heroin abuse in the country, especially New Jersey because heroin is more easily accessible.

The symposium is scheduled for 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Arline & Henry Schwartzman Courtyard.