Quincy Sun // Published October 14, 2016 // By Robert Bosworth

This event is free and open to the public; media is welcome to attend.

The Oct. 20th Substance Abuse Forum and Panel Discussion is hosted by the Quincy College Addiction Awareness Club. Many issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse will be discussed.

A diverse panel of speakers touching upon all aspects of addiction will lead the discussion including representatives from the Mayor’s Office City of Quincy, Mayor’s Office City of Boston, and state Sen. John F. Keenan, representing Norfolk and Plymouth districts.

“ In Massachusetts, it is next to impossible to find an individual who has not been personally affected by substance abuse,” Keenan said. ” I am very proud of the bi-partisan legislation aimed at tackling the opioid epidemic, however, we still have a long way to go. It is time that we demand responsibility from drug manufacturers and health insurance companies to step up and take responsibility. However, local open forums like this one are extremely crucial in gaining the needed momentum to put a final end to this epidemic.”

The panel will be moderated by Mary Jane Knox, Advisor to the Quincy College Addiction Awareness Club and will feature the following panelists:

State Sen. John F. Keenan, Norfolk and Plymouth District; Larry Liuzzo, Office of the Mayor, City of Quincy; Jennifer Tracey, Office of the Mayor, City of Boston; Rev. James Hawker, Board of Governors at Quincy College; Det. Patrick Glynn, Drug Task Force, Quincy Police Department; and Celine Cannon of the Gavin Foundation.

Massachusetts community groups will be on hand to provide information on support services including Learn to Cope, Baystate, The Sun Will Rise, A New Way, Gavin Foundation, New England Addiction Outreach, Danny Cleggett of Sober Houses, Recovery Centers of America, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous.

Two Quincy College students who are in recovery will speak at the event as well.

Kristen McLaughlin, president of the Quincy College Addiction Awareness Club, said: “The Quincy College Addiction Awareness Club is pleased to maintain a safe space on the Quincy College campus for anyone to get support or information. The South Shore recovery community is engaged in an ongoing discussion about recovery and addiction awareness. The Addiction Awareness Club at Quincy College is pleased to be a part of this ongoing discussion via our annual substance abuse forums and our weekly club meetings. “We continue to be proud of the network of support that we offer Quincy College students. Club discussions have included the benefits of having a sponsor, get someone connected to recovery programs, or provide them with a list of local detoxes.”

In addition to the Oct. 20th Substance Abuse Symposium, on Nov. 3rd, Quincy College will host a Human Services and Substance Abuse Job Fair at the Quincy Campus for those interested in working in the health and human services field specializing in addiction support. For event information, visit: https://quincycollege.edu/events/substance-abuse-symposium/.

For more information about Quincy College Student Success Coaching, please visit: https://quincycollege.edu/student-services/student-success-coaching/

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