NANTUCKET – Island residents will have an opportunity to listen to a panel of experts and community leaders discuss the problem of opioid addiction on Nantucket Saturday.
The opioid symposium is being held by the Nantucket Board of Health and Nantucket Cottage Hospital at the public safety facility from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Panelists for the symposium include Cheryl Bartlett with Cape Cod Healthcare and Nantucket Cottage Hospital Social Services Department Manager Peter MacKay.
According to Nantucket Cottage Hospital officials, Nantucket is not exempt from the statewide opioid crisis that has had a devastating impact on Massachusetts. “The island is facing the same difficult issues surrounding opiate abuse as its counterparts on the mainland, but Nantucket health and public safety officials are working together to address the problem head-on,” according to a statement from the hospital about the symposium.
The symposium is organized as an opportunity for island residents to listen to a panel of experts and community leaders discuss the problem, ask questions, and explore solutions together.
Besides Bartlett and MacKay, other speakers will be the following: Dr. Domenic Ciraulo, Chief Medical Advisor, Gosnold on Cape Cod; Tom Clinger, Detective Sergeant, Nantucket Police Department; Dr. Tim Lepore, Medical Director & Chief of Surgery, Nantucket Cottage Hospital; Tess Pearson, Executive Director, Family & Children’s Services of Nantucket; and Aline Wommack, nurse & suboxone program coordinator, Nantucket Cottage Hospital
These speakers and panelists will discuss a range of topics, including but not limited to:
- What is the opioid problem?
- What are opioids?
- How do they differ?
- What are the signs and symptoms of abuse?
- What are the treatment challenges?
- What does law enforcement say and do?
- Is there a generational abuse issue?
- What are the action steps and resources?
