Falmouth Opioid Forum Constructs Action Plan

KA_Falmouth_Conference Symposium Opiates_Winter_10816207NORTH FALMOUTH – The first of two forums held by the Opioid Coalition of Falmouth and town police took place Friday at the Seacrest Hotel.

The event was started to spread awareness about opiate abuse and discuss ways to reduce the availability of illegal opiates.

Attendees included treatment and medical professionals, pharmacists, prosecutors, and local law enforcement officials.

The forum’s facilitator, Gerry Bruno, said the problem was broken down into five areas: drug supply (legal), supply (illegal), post-treatment, prevention and education in schools, and Community support.

Several groups were formed to represent these categories, headed by such people as Falmouth Police Captain Brian Reid, Dr. Rob Davis and more.

Law enforcement and the medical community had a particularly large presence at the forum. Bruno said that 80 percent of all people who use illegal opiates begin on legal ones.

State Representative David Vieira

State Representative David Vieira

State Representative David Vieira was also present. He said the diversity of involvement will act as a funnel, distributing different resources where they’re most needed.

“Within this larger policy debate, there are specific action plans that when someone offers to help, they can be directed to a plan to help,” he said. “That’s been what is missing.”

Each of the groups were charged with brainstorming every category-related idea they could come up with. Bruno said that “far-off” ideas can often lead to practical plans.

One such initiative, called the PUSH team, was created to “promote understanding for sustained healing.”

The next forum on February 5th will examine how these groups will function going forward.

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