U.S. Attorney Parker to Participate in Keller Coalition Symposium to Raise Awareness, Change in Opiate Epidemic

DALLAS – U.S. Attorney John Parker, of the Northern District of Texas, will participate in a symposium tomorrow, September 22, 2016, entitled, “When the Prescription Becomes the Problem: A Community Response to the Opiate Epidemic,” which is intended to mobilize community leaders and stakeholders to reduce opiate misuse and abuse in North Texas.  Keller Stay on Track Coalition is hosting the symposium that is being held at the Hurst Conference Center, 1601 Campus Drive, in Hurst, Texas, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

            National experts, including award-winning journalist Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic, will address the heroin and opioid overdose death crisis in the U.S.  Other experts include, Dr. Don Teater, Medical Advisor for the National Safety Council; Leonard Campanello, Chief of the Gloucester, Massachusetts Police Department; and Dr. Kelly J. Clark, President Elect of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Chief Medical Officer of Cleanslate Centers.  Others participating in the symposium will include federal and state representatives who will discuss medical, prevention, and treatment perspectives

            Of particular note, at noon tomorrow, U.S. Attorney John Parker will introduce Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, which is being featured as a lunchtime video documentary.  The film, a joint production by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, chronicles the ways drug abuse devastates the lives of users and their families.

Throughout the day, additional resources will be available from various sponsors including JP Health Systems, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, MHMR Tarrant County, Enterhealth Ranch, Mesa Spring/Innovations, Starlite Recovery and Safe Communities America - Fort Worth.

Prescription drug abuse has long been a priority of the administration, and last week, President Obama proclaimed September 18-24, 2016, as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.  Throughout the week, officials with the Department of Justice throughout the country are participating in hundreds of events highlighting the importance of prevention, enforcement and treatment.

The Keller Stay on Track Coalition, a program of Challenge of Tarrant County, brings Keller community leaders and stakeholders together to address substance abuse prevention priorities, including prescription drug misuse and abuse in adolescents and young adults, underage drinking and binge drinking.

For more information about tomorrow’s symposium, go to http://challengetc.org/