Media Advisory: Town Hall Meeting Prescription Pain Killers and the Heroin Epidemic

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The United States Attorney’s Office has scheduled a Town Hall Meeting on February 10^th to discuss prescription pain killers and the heroin epidemic. Every day, 44 people in the U.S. die from overdose of prescription painkillers.  Yearly, overdose deaths exceed motor vehicle deaths and firearms deaths.  The most recent data available indicates that in 2013, over 46,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses with more than half of that number being caused by prescription painkillers and heroin. The wife of a correctional officer that died as a result of his addiction to painkillers will discuss the family tragedy.

Viewed as a national challenge requiring a community solution, the meeting will bring together community leaders and members, clergy, law enforcement, educators, health care professionals, business leaders, employers and employees to exchange information and strategies to address the epidemic plaguing eastern Iowa.

Topics include an examination of the national threat, opioid-based deaths in Iowa, heroin in Iowa in urban and rural communities, heroin then and now, responding to the addictions, and prevention education in schools, businesses and our communities. Visit www.faceboook.com/EasternIowaHeroinInitiative to learn more.

U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau will be present. The event is open to the public.

Event Details

When: February 10, 2016 (flyer is attached)

Where: Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library (Whipple Aud.), 450 5^th Ave SE

Time: Begins at 7:00 p.m., and ends at 9:00 p.m.

Press wishing to attend should contact AUSA Steve Young at 319-731-4037, or by emailing him at steve.young@usdoj.gov.