The Washtenaw Health Initiative (WHI) Opioid Project – Dawn Farm Presentation

Opioid overdose was described as an “epidemic” by CDC Director Thomas Frieden in 2011.  Since then, this epidemic has had a catastrophic impact on families and placed tremendous strain on communities, and our Southeast Michigan community is no exception. According to the  Washtenaw Health Initiative Opioid Project web site, opioids have killed more Washtenaw County community members than car accidents every year since 2012.  What is being done to change this?

The Washtenaw Health Initiative (WHI) Opioid Project is a cross-sector coalition that brings together community members, law enforcement, public health, hospitals, community mental health, treatment facilities, and other providers to collectively design and implement policy changes to stem the tide of opioid overdose.  Our community will have the opportunity to learn about our local community-level response to the opioid epidemic from a public health perspective, and ways for all of us to get involved, at a free Dawn Farm Education Series presentation on “Coordinating a Community Response to the Opioid Epidemic.” This program will be presented by Molly Welch Marahar, MPP; WHI Opioid Project Coordinator, Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation; Carrie Rheingans, MSW, MPH; WHI Project Manager, Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation; and a panel representing various sectors involved in our local efforts.

The program will be held on Tuesday June 18, 2019; from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center auditorium, located at 5305 Elliott Drive in Ypsilanti. Anyone with a personal or professional interest is welcome to attend. Admission is FREE. Registration is not required. Free C.E. (1.5 hours) for addiction professionals (approved by MCBAP) is provided.

This program is part of the free Dawn Farm Education Series.