U.S. Attorney Parker to Participate in Prescription Town Hall in Keller, Texas

DALLAS – U.S. Attorney John Parker, of the Northern District of Texas, will participate in a Prescription Town Hall meeting tomorrow evening, Tuesday, September 20, 2016, in Keller, Texas, concerning prescription drug abuse.  Entitled, “When the Prescription Becomes the Problem,” the presentation will be facilitated by Dr. Don Teater, the Former Medical Advisor for the National Safety Council.  The meeting is sponsored by Stay on Track Challenge of Tarrant County and the Keller Independent School District, and it is intended for all members of the Keller community.  It will be held at the Keller Education Center, located at 350 Keller Parkway.

Dr. Teater will begin the Town Hall with an overview of the prescription opiate epidemic.  U.S. Attorney Parker will then introduce a public service announcement (PSA) his office released earlier this year concerning the dangers of prescription drug abuse and ways parents can keep their children safe.  Next, there will be a panel presentation by experts from the law enforcement community, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Keller Police Department, as well as representatives from various health and social services field.      

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 will participate in hundreds of events highlighting the importance of prevention, enforcement and treatment.

U.S. Attorney Parker will also participate in a symposium on Thursday, September 22, 2016, also designed to raise awareness of the opiate epidemic.  The day-long symposium, “When the Prescription Becomes the Problem: A Community Response to the Opiate Epidemic,” is intended to help mobilize community leaders and stakeholders to reduce opiate misuse and abuse in North Texas.  It is being hosted by the Keller Stay on Track Coalition and is being held at the Hurst Conference Center, 1601 Campus Drive, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to U.S. Attorney Parker, the Thursday’s symposium will feature national experts including Dr. Teater and award-winning journalist Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland:  The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic.  Others participating in the symposium will include federal and state representatives who will discuss medical, prevention, and treatment perspectives.

Both events are being sponsored by the Keller Stay on Track Coalition, a program of Challenge of Tarrant County.  It 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.

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