News & Information
Sussex County Office of Substance Abuse Services Hosting Opioid Epidemic Symposiums in October
Freeholder Deputy Director, Sylvia Petillo, Freeholder Liaison to the Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services has initiated a series of public symposiums for Sussex County residents to discuss the opioid epidemic that has gripped the nation, Sussex County's response to it and the services available to residents who have been touched by it. For this purpose, Nick Loizzi, Coordinator of the Office of Substance Abuse and Alcohol will be hosting three symposiums in October throughout the county to address the epidemic and provide information on the resources available to residents.
Each symposium will include information on prevention, treatment, the CLEAR program, and more. Local law enforcement, EMS and fire departments have been invited to participate. Prosecutor Francis Koch will be on hand to share the efforts his office is making. Treatment providers and prevention agencies will have displays of the services they offer. The local Municipal Alliance Committees will also be on hand to discuss their programs and recruit new members who are interested in assisting with this valuable prevention resource.
Mr. Loizzi will be announcing a new initiative in Sussex County called the Overdose Fatality Review Team. The team will include the Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services, the Medical Examiner's Office, Newton Medical Center, the Sussex County Prosecutor, local police departments, EMS squads, area treatment and prevention providers, and families of the deceased. Together they will review the circumstances of the fatal overdoses to look for solutions and alternatives to prevent future fatalities. The program is modeled after an initiative that originated in Maryland and has been introduced in several New Jersey counties with great success.
Symposiums will be held on the dates and locations outlined below. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Attendance is free and no registration is required. Light refreshments will be served.
Date → Location
Thursday, October 17th → Newton High School, 44 Ryerson Avenue, Newton
Wednesday, October 23rd → Wallkill Valley Regional High School, 10 Grumm Road, Hamburg
Monday, October 28th → Lenape Valley Regional High School, 28 Sparta Road, Stanhope
If you would like more information about the symposiums or substance abuse prevention, contact Mr. Loizzi at the Office of Substance Abuse and Alcohol by calling (973) 940-5200, ext. 1383 or via email at nloizzi@sussex.nj.us.