The Peru Gazette

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Prescription Opiate, Heroin Addiction and opiate-related overdoses continue to increase in the North Country. Several local professionals and concerned citizens joined forces to form a coalition, namely, Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery of Clinton County (SPARCC). This coalition is comprised of people in recovery, concerned citizens, treatment providers, elected officials, law enforcement, educators, and community organizations. The coalition aims to raise substance abuse awareness in our community and address the issues associated with substance abuse. Our mission is to foster community health through education, prevention, treatment and recovery of substance abuse.

On Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from 7 – 9 p.m., SPARCC is hosting a free Community Forum called Understanding Heroin and Prescription Opioid Abuse at the Strand Theatre for the Arts located at 25 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh. This forum will be SPARCC’s first step toward raising awareness of the impact of the heroin crisis in our community as well as educating our community about the resources available to combat this issue. Our guest speaker, Michael Nerney, is a consultant in Substance Abuse and Prevention and Education with over 37 years of experience in the field. Mr. Nerney’s particular areas of expertise include Psychopharmacology, Adolescent Chemical Dependency, Relapse Prevention, Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction, Gender Differences in Communication and Managing Violent Incidents. This Community Forum focuses on understanding addiction and how addiction impacts the brain as well as the person as a whole. The focus of Mr. Nerney’s presentation is opiates and prescription opioids, recognizing the severe impact of those drugs on our community.

Master of Ceremonies is John Bernardi of the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. and a welcome message will be presented by District Attorney Andrew Wylie, an event sponsor. Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, who is committed to combatting the opiate epidemic locally, will provide Opening Commentary prefacing our featured Speaker, Michael Nerney. Senator Elizabeth Little’s office, specifically Dan MacEffee, will provide closing commentary and Peter Trout of Behavioral Health Services North will provide adjourning comments regarding the local impact of opiates and prescription opioid abuse. Chasing the Dragon, the Life of an Opiate Addict trailer will also be provided as a preview of a future event sponsored in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the NDNY. Resource tables will be set up in the Strand to provide information regarding local services available. Sponsors for this event are the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office and Safe Harbour.

All members of Clinton County and surrounding counties are urged to attend to be informed of the impact of the heroin crisis in our community and to join forces with SPARCC in creating positive change. Michael Nerney is a renowned speaker, not to be missed. Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SPARCCNY to RSVP.