As Seacoast communities continue to work on addressing the region’s heroin addiction epidemic, Crystal Paradis wants to keep the conversation going. She’s organizing a community forum on heroin that will take place Monday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at The Music Hall Loft.
“So many people have been affected by this epidemic, and for some reason, it still doesn’t feel like it’s being openly talked about,” Paradis said. When Cody John Laplante, a young Seacoast poet, died from a heroin overdose last week, Paradis said she felt a sense of urgency to help do something to address heroin addiction in the Seacoast.
“I wanted to bring together a handful of people to channel our feeling of helplessness and our desire to do something about this into positive action,” she said.
According to the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, in 2014, deaths from heroin-related overdoses outpaced deaths from motor vehicle accidents. The problem is widespread, according to Paradis.
“The reality that students and young professionals are able to obtain this dangerous substance so cheaply and easily is incomprehensible. And yet, when I bring it up even around people I don’t think would have anything to say on the matter, the reaction is almost always, ‘Yeah, someone close to me is struggling with it, too,’” she said.
The forum will include a panel of local advocates and experts, with a focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery. There will also be an open conversation period where attendees can ask questions. Monte Bohanan of The Music Hall will facilitate the discussion. Paradis added that information about local treatment and recovery organizations will be available so that attendees can get involved.
“Hopefully, people will leave with actionable things they can do to help us better address this issue as a community,” she said.
The event is free, but space is limited. Tickets are available at lets-talk-heroin.eventbrite.com.