The Michigan Opioids Task Force and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are hosting a town hall Friday, Jan. 17, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Wayne County Community College Larry K. Lewis Education Center Auditorium, 8200 Outer Drive West in Detroit.
MDHHS and the Michigan Opioids Task Force will share its strategy to address the opioids crisis, seek information about how the opioid epidemic has impacted those in attendance and host a Q&A about the crisis response. The event is being co-hosted by the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.
Information gathered during the town halls will help the state develop a crisis response that is flexible; effective to fit the needs of communities from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Marquette; and informed by the experiences of Michiganders affected by the crisis.
A few key questions will guide the conversation:
- How has the opioid epidemic affected you, your family or your community?
- What services, programs or policies would you recommend to help address the crisis?
- How can the state help combat stigma and change the narrative around opioid use disorder?
"This is an opportunity for community and stakeholder engagement on an epidemic that has impacted nearly every resident of our state," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS. "The information gathered at these events is critical to us being able to turn the tide on this public health crisis."
Additional town halls are being hosted in the following areas of the state:
-Sterling Heights on March 10.
-Gaylord on July 24.
-Escanaba on July 29.
-Flint on September 25.
-Grand Rapids in November.
For additional information about the state's opioids response and available resources, visit Michigan.gov/opioids.
Published: Fri, Jan 10, 2020
