(photo) Greater Waterbury Legislators Discuss Policies to Combat Addiction

October 5, 2016

damelio-opioidforumnew

Working Together to Battle Addiction

Attached photo, left to right: Rep. Tony D’Amelio, Rep. Eric Berthel, and Sen. Rob Kane listen as Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittman addresses a Sep. 26 forum on opioid abuse at Post University in Waterbury.

The forum, which addressed addiction and how to access services for those battling addiction, brought together state and local law enforcement, health care and addiction prevention experts to discuss policies which can prevent tragedies.

In 2015, more than 700 deaths were attributed to drug overdoses, more than double the number for 2012, according to the Office of the Medical Examiner.

The state has created a toll free number to help people seeking opioid treatment and services as heroin deaths are climbing.
Residents can call 1-800-563-4086 to be directed to a walk-in assessment center in their area where they will be evaluated.