Opioid Town Hall Meeting

Miami-Dade County's Opioid Addiction Task Force is hosting the Overtown Townhall Meeting on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Lyric Theater (819 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33136).

In response to Miami's opioid epidemic, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, in conjunction with Mayor Carlos Giménez and the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Children and Families, created the Miami-Dade County Opioid Addiction Task Force. The goals of the Task Force were to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the opioid epidemic, identify best practices to address and curtail it, compile information and develop a comprehensive action plan to halt the epidemic in Miami-Dade County. The Task Force produced a final report, which included 26 actionable recommendations, one being to collaborate with the affected communities through town hall meetings.

On June 23, 2017, 10-year-old Alton Banks passed away after coming into contact with fentanyl, a deadly drug, after going for a swim in a community pool in Overtown and then walking home.

To commemorate the one year anniversary of his passing, the Opioid Addiction Task Force will be hosting the first of a series of town hall meetings where Miami's opioid epidemic will be discussed. Participants will include representatives from the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, the Miami-Dade Police Department, the City of Miami Police Department, the IDEA Needle Exchange Program, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Miami Fire Rescue Department.

The town hall meeting will discuss symptoms and signs of abuse/addiction, opioid use and overdose trends, efforts taken by law enforcement to reduce drug supply and how to help citizens struggling with addiction. The meeting will also provide information on the overdose reversal drug, Naloxone, and medication assisted treatment options and resources in the community.

This is an excellent opportunity for the public health community and others to share recommendations on the epidemic in Miami.