PHD hosting opioid solution symposium

Panhandle Health District invites community members who have an interest in collaborating to reduce opioid misuse, abuse and overdose within our region to the North Idaho Rx Opioid Solution Symposium on Wednesday. Sept. 12.

At the symposium, attendees will hear national, state and local perspectives on opioid misuse.

“Our goal in hosting this symposium is to have community partners work together to create a strategic plan that we can implement in our five northern counties,” said Lora Whalen, Panhandle Health District Director. “We are looking forward to hearing the diverse perspectives from the attendees knowing that this issue is something that effects everyone.”

The Symposium’s informational session from 9:00am to noon will feature a variety of experts able to speak about the current state of opioids in our region. Ron Weaver, director of A Way Forward, an educational peer counseling program for people struggling with pain management, will be speaking about his 30-year journey with chronic pain and his battle with medications. Other speakers include Kelsey McCall, Panhandle Health District Health Education Specialist, Dr. Bill Miller, MD with Kootenai Health and a representative from law enforcement.

The U.S. is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, meaning 116 people died every day from opioid -related drug overdoses. That is more than any previous year on record. An estimated 40% of opioid deaths involved a prescription opioid. Equally as concerning is the fact that 11.5 million people misused prescription opioids in 2016 and 2.1 million had a diagnosed opioid use disorder.

The North Idaho Rx Opioid Solution Symposium will bring more understanding to the opioid crisis and the devastating consequences this epidemic has on our community.

While the work group session is sold out, there are seats available for the infomational session, which will be held from 9 a.m.-noon.

The symposium is being held at the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene.

Register online at eventbrite.com/e/north-idaho-rx-opioid-solution-symposium-registration-45874406585

For the informational session, those attending should include North Idaho community professionals working directly or indirectly with the opioid issue. Examples include: providers, pharmacists, law enforcement, emergency responders, dentists, mental health professionals, elected officials, etc.

Information: [email protected]