[Archived] City Hosting Event, Inviting Feedback on Strategic Plan to Combat Opioid Crisis

For Immediate Release
October 22, 2019

On November 18, the City of Alexandria will host “A Community Conversation: Strategic Plan to Eliminate Opioid Misuse and Its Harmful Effects in Alexandria.” Residents are invited to learn more about the local effects of the national opioid crisis and the City’s strategy to address it. The event will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of T.C. Williams High School at 3330 King Street.

Opioids are a class of highly addictive drugs used to reduce pain and include prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illegal opioids like heroin. Those impacted range from persons with addiction and their children and families to community neighborhoods, schools, employers and health and social services.

The event is the latest in a series of town halls and community planning sessions designed to engage and collaborate with Alexandria residents to develop a comprehensive strategy to eliminate opioid misuse and its harmful effects throughout the city. The events have been coordinated by the Opioid Work Group, comprised of representatives from a wide range of City services and partners including social services, law enforcement, schools, health providers and other community organizations who take a multi-dimensional approach to confronting the crisis through prevention and education, addiction treatment, overdose response and recovery, diversion of addicted persons into treatment and supply reduction and law enforcement strategies.

The event will include a brief presentation followed by round-table style opportunities for community members to respond to and provide input on the City’s strategic plan. The plan is also available online at engagement.alexandriava.gov, where residents can learn more about the crisis and provide feedback on the plan.

No registration is required to attend the event.

For more information about the opioid crisis and the City’s response, visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids. For questions, contact Opioid Response Coordinator Emily Bentley at 703.746.3266 or emily.bentley@alexandriava.gov.

To request a reasonable accommodation, email  maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244, Virginia Relay 711.

###