pressofatlanticcity.com: JTAC to host drug-prevention seminar for Atlantic County faith-based leaders
2/22/2017
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MAYS LANDING — Several local substance-misuse prevention coalitions and organizations are teaming up to host an educational symposium for religious and faith-based leaders in Atlantic County to address their roles in preventing drug addiction.
Join Together Atlantic County will co-host the free Do No Harm symposium at the Mays Landing branch of the Atlantic County Library on Thursday with members and leaders from the Atlantic County Opiate Task Force and Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey.
The symposium will address the role faith-based leaders play in helping individuals and families experiencing drug addiction and how to prevent substance misuse in their communities and congregations.
“By speaking to the faith-based community, we can arm them with the knowledge they need to assist families who are suffering at the hands of addiction,” said Angelo Valente, executive director of Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey.
The symposium is free to attend with registration.
Prescription misuse as a precursor to opioid and heroin addiction has been part of the focus among prevention advocates and law enforcement as New Jersey experiences near-epidemic levels of addiction, overdoses and deaths.
The Atlantic County-based coalition and opiate task force began distributing 2,500 Deterra Drug Deactivation System pouches in January to promote safe disposal of highly addictive drugs such as opioids.
The small Deterra pouches are lined with a carbon-based material that can neutralize medications when water is added to the pouch. One bag can neutralize up to 90 prescription painkillers, 12 ounces of liquid or 12 patches, according to the manufacturers.
Experts have linked some opioid addiction to overprescribing by medical professionals.
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