Big pharma is settling. The Sackler family will pay billions. Yet, according to the CDC, 130 Americans still die every day from an opiate overdose; the epidemic invades every neighborhood.
Community Conversation takes an intimate look at social issues affecting Cedar Rapids residents.
When Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced in March that Purdue Pharma would pay the state $270 million to settle a lawsuit linked to the opioid epidemic, he declared the agreement "begins a new chapter for those struggling with addiction." -USA Today
On September 26, 2019, experts on the opioid epidemic share their experiences, humanizing Opioid Use Disorder and addiction as never before. Opioid use is mainstream, and the addict is the guy next door. What can we do to help? Our speakers deeply personal stories and startling statistics will help us navigate this complicated issue.
Our panel of experts:
Erin Foster, Director of Prevention Services, ASAC
Rod Courtney, Executive Director, Community Resources United to Stop Heroin (CRUSH)
Lindsay Powers, Eastern Iowa Heroin Initiative, Cedar Rapids Police Department
Cedar Rapids Public Library is committed to the free and open exchange of ideas and access to information free of judgment. We will facilitate a 45-minute panel presentation followed by a 45-minute Q & A. Light refreshments will be served.
The Downtown Library is located at 450 5th Avenue SE, in the heart of Downtown Cedar Rapids. It is a 94,000 square foot building with a variety of civic spaces and a vibrant collection of library materials. Special features of this location are the Whipple Auditorium, a 200 seat auditorium overlooking Greene Square; and the LivingLearning Roof, a green roof with public seating and space to hold special events. Roasters Café is located in the Downtown Library, providing a full service coffee shop for visitors, as well as catering for meetings and special events.