NORWICH, NY—The SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus and Human Services Institute will present a community forum on the opioid crisis Thursday, March 28, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the community room, #132A & B of Follett Hall on the Norwich Campus. Light refreshments will be served at 1 p.m.
The event, organized by students in the Abnormal Psychology course, focuses on gaining an understanding of mental health considerations, experiences and responses to the increasing severity of the opioid crisis locally and regionally. The forum is free and open to the public.
A panel of speakers will address the crisis from a range of mental health perspectives, including medical and psychological expertise, therapy to active and recovering addicts, and from parents.
An open Q&A session and community dialogue follow the panel presentations.
At 4 p.m., Narcan training will be provided by Mark Blakeslee, assistant professor of criminal justice. Narcan is a brand name for naloxone, a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. Advance notice is encouraged for those interested in the Narcan training.
For more information, contact adjunct professor Jane Coddington at coddinja@morrisville.edu or janecoddington@gmail.com.
The Human Services Institute, a resource for students, the college and community, develops ongoing partnerships and collaboration between the college’s human services program, faculty and staff, and human service professionals in Norwich and throughout Chenango and Madison counties.
Partnering with human services agencies, the Institute hosts trainings, conferences, professional development speakers, continuing education, and addresses quality of life issues that impact the community.
Upcoming events at the Norwich Campus community room include:
• Tuesday, April 2, noon-2:30 p.m. - Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence
• Friday, April 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Agriculture Appreciation Day—Bringing Together Farmers and Human Services
• Friday, May 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Grief Conference
• Thursday and Friday, June 6 and 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Human Service Leadership Academy
For more information about SUNY Morrisville’s Human Services Institute, contact Dr. Julie Burton, assistant professor of social science and coordinator of the human services program, at burtonjc@morrisville.edu or 607.334.5144, ext. 5043.