(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Short notice was given that representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and DEA are holding events this month in a series of rural Alaskan communities, as part of National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week, to increase awareness about the dangers of opioids and heroin addiction.

The scheduled Heroin/Opioid Awarness Event in Ketchikan was held today from 5:00-7:30 PM at the Discovery Center. Click here to watch the documentary film presented today at this event in Ketchikan.

The Obama Administration announced a “week of action” to raise awareness about the rising public health crisis caused by drug overdoses. As part of this effort, the U.S. Department of Justice designated the week of Sept. 18-24, 2016, as National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week. Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week provides the chance to educate the public about the dangers of heroin and opioid abuse, as well as how everyone can participate in the effort to help stop the epidemic that is killing so many of our children, friends and neighbors. For those communities hardest hit by this epidemic it is truly terrifying, and it is spreading rapidly across the country, including Alaskan communities.

Here in Alaska, a series of community events have been held or will be held. Each will feature a screening of “Chasing the Dragon,” a documentary film collaboratively produced by the FBI and DEA, which depicts the harsh reality of heroin and opioid addiction. The film was designed to better educate students and young adults about these drugs’ dangers and the tragic consequences that often accompany them. The film will be followed by an interactive community discussion with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, as well as behavioral health and medical professionals, about the issues that the film raises and how this epidemic is impacting Alaskan communities.

In addition, similar presentations are being held in schools in each community the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and DEA are visiting as part of this initiative.

Earlier this month, events were held in Kotzebue for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District’s Youth Leaders Program, and Kotzebue Middle/High School. Last Thursday, in Barrow, events were held for Barrow High School students, and the community. Monday, the Awareness Event was held in Bethel at the Bethel City Hall and today the Awaress Event was held this evening in Ketchikan at the Discovery.

Future community events scheduled are:

HEROIN/OPIOID AWARENESS EVENT IN NOME, ALASKA
WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Nome Eskimo Community Trigg Hall, 200 W. 5th Avenue, Nome, Alaska

HEROIN/OPIOID AWARENESS EVENT IN KODIAK, ALASKA
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016; 7:00-9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Kodiak High School Auditorium, 917 Rezanof East, Kodiak, Alaska

HEROIN/OPIOID AWARENESS EVENT IN PETERSBURGH, ALASKA
WHEN: (Date/time TBD)
WHERE: Petersburgh High School, 109 Charles W St., Petersburg, Alaska 99833

Additional events are being planned this fall in other Alaskan communities.

U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler commended the Alaska State Troopers and local law enforcement partners, as well as the behavioral and medical health professionals, in each of these communities for their assistance with these events.

On the Web:

Watch the Documentary Film Presented At These Events
Chasing the Dragon: The Life of An Opiate Addict
Video and Transcript
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/raising-awareness-of-opioid-addiction

Reporting & Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

U.S. Department of Justice
https://www.justice.gov

 

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