Article Contributed by
Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene
Chautauqua County Executive, Vincent Horrigan, and Chautauqua County Community Mental Hygiene Services Director, Patricia Brinkman, are reminding residents about two additional Community Drug Forums focused on the growing epidemic of opiate use and abuse in Chautauqua County. These forums are open to all community members and will focus on the same issues and topics featured in the initial Community Drug Forum and will be held on August 4, 2014 from 9 a.m. to noon at Jamestown Community College’s Carnahan Building, 525 Falconer Street in Jamestown, and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Jamestown Community College North County Training Center, 10807 Bennett Road in Dunkirk. No pre-registration is required.
Despite blizzard like conditions, the initial Community Drug Forum in Mayville had over 200 people in attendance. The powerful turnout was a great start but the suggestion was made that subsequent forums be held at the two ends of the county to reach those who couldn’t make the first.
From the initial Community Drug Forum came a Steering Committee made up of representatives from county government, law enforcement, mental health and chemical dependency agency leaders, media, and members of the business community. They developed smaller sub group Action Teams that will individually focus on Court/Law Enforcement/Probation, PR/Media, Treatment, Advocacy, and Education/Prevention. These Action Teams are open to the community and those interested are encouraged to join their efforts. For more information on how to join, contact Sue Hawley at (716) 753-4104.
For more information concerning the Community Forum, contact the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene by calling (716) 753-4104, or the County Executive’s Office by calling (716) 753-4211.
