National Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week to Examine Oregon Epidemic

PORTLAND, Ore. – On Wednesday, September 21, 2016, leaders from local, state, and federal law enforcement and public health agencies will co-host “Taking Stock,” a roundtable discussion examining Oregon’s prescription opioid and heroin epidemic.

“The Department of Justice plays a critical role in building community coalitions to fight this epidemic, said Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon. This country is facing a crisis of heroin and opioid overdose deaths. We cannot arrest our way out of an epidemic that is causing such preventable loss of life. We must work together in Oregon to save lives through innovative partnerships between public safety and health. This event is a step forward in our effort to support a coordinated response across all elements of government and the private sector to address not only drug enforcement, but also prevention and treatment.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Oregon Department of Justice will meet with local law enforcement and public health leaders to discuss issues surrounding the crisis. Opening remarks will be provided by U.S. Attorney Williams and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. Participants will also have the opportunity to hear perspectives from the Oregon Medical Examiner’s Office, the Oregon High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program (HIDTA), the Tri-County Public Health Departments, Lines for Life, and the DEA.

The roundtable discussion will take place at the Oregon Department of Justice in Portland from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. Members of Oregon’s law enforcement and public health communities are invited to attend. For event information, please contact Suzanne Hayden, Assistant U.S. Attorney, at Suzanne.Hayden@usdoj.gov or (503) 727-1000.

This event is being held in conjunction with the National Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week to raise awareness of the growing epidemic of opioid and heroin abuse in the U.S. For more information, please visit http://go.usa.gov/xKwCG.