O+ Hosts Opioid Panel, Forum, Narcan Training in Newburgh

O+ presents “Trends in Opioid Use, Treatment and Harm Reduction,” Thursday, May 31 at 5:15 p.m. at Grit Works, 115 Broadway in Newburgh. The free Educate & Activate panel and community forum focuses on opioid use trends in the Hudson Valley, plus harm reduction, treatment, first-person perspectives, and advocacy for harm reduction practices. A training for the opioid overdose prevention drug Narcan will also be provided.

“This life-affirming panel and forum aims to empower community members to take action and advocate for progressive drug policy and access to harm reduction means and treatment,” said Shannon Light, O+ nurse and director of the O+ Artists’ Clinic.

Listen to Shannon Light’s interview with Radio Woodstock’s Greg Gattine here:

Panelists include Dr. Maya Hambright, medical director of Samaritan Daytop Village’s Cape Road Residential Treatment Program in Ellenville, physician at Health Quest Medical Practice — Woodstock and a volunteer provider in the O+ Artists’ Clinic; Sean Tonner, outreach coordinator of Hudson Valley Community Services Syringe Exchange Program (SEP); Deb Greene, program director of RECAP’s New Life Manor; and Kathleen F. Morgan, chief operations officer of HONOR (Helping Others Needing Our Resources). Daniel Maughan, vice president of Transformation for St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, is the moderator.

HVCS and Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan will provide Narcan training and kits.

Refreshments will be served.

Partners for the May 31 event include RECAP, Hudson Valley Community Services and St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.

Educate & Activate is a yearround O+ series of forums that brings together panels of health providers, non-profit organizations, local government leaders, educators and activists to discuss national health issues, their impact on local communities, and to convene community task forces to address them. It is sponsored by Health Quest.