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GOVERNMENT An open discussion on opioid addiction Town officials seek the public’s help in confronting the significant health crisis

Natick Bulletin & TAB (MA) - 7/16/2016

As the opioid crisis affects people around the country and throughout the world, Natick officials hope to spark a conversation on Monday about the town's response and what more can be done.

Selectmen Chairman Rick Jennett encouraged the public to attend a meeting set for Monday evening to discuss the opioid epidemic.

“It’s an important, important issue and you’re going to hear from this board on a regular basis about this issue,” Jennett said.

The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in Morse Institute Library'sLebowitz Room. It will feature presentations from the Natick Police Department, Natick Health Department, Natick Public Schools, Natick Together for Youth, and SOAR (Supporting Our Addicts’ Recovery) Natick. There will also be time for questions and discussion, according to a press release.

Katie Sugarman, executive director of Natick Together for Youth, said she appreciates that selectmen decided to hold the meeting.

“I think it’s really important, especially in light of how significant this public health crisis is, that we have a public discussion,” Sugarman said.

She said many different departments and groups in town are responding to the crisis. Sugarman said she hopes Monday’s meeting will spark an even more cohesive response.

Sugarman said something as simple as forming an opioid task force for the entire community could help to continue the conversation.

Jennett said he hopes the upcoming meeting will raise awareness and get more people involved in finding a solution.

“I think this helps to put it hopefully on the forefront of everybody’s mind,” Sugarman said. “This is not an issue that affects a select few families in town. It affects us all in one way or another.”

For more information on the meeting, visit natickma.gov.

—Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.