Opioid and Addiction Educational Seminar

Our Police Department, in cooperation with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Department is hosting an educational seminar on opioids and addiction on March 6^th  at 7:00 PM, at the Valley View Chapel, 115 East Mill Road, Long Valley NJ. 

Please take a moment to look at the invitation from Chief Almer, and know that this seminar is being offered because opioids and addiction are everywhere, including Washington Township and Califon.  This is a community problem, and gaining knowledge as a community, we will be able to help our families, our neighbors, our friends and our community.

 It is a free event, but please RSVP at the following website:  https://learnthefactswtmc.eventbrite.com

From Chief Almer

The opioid epidemic has become one of the biggest issues we have ever experienced and it spirals throughout our country, our state, our county, and through Washington Township. The time for turning away and saying, it is someone else’s problem, is over. As a community, we need to address this head on.

While law enforcement, health officials, county officials, and so forth are working hard, we need to educate people and get the true facts out to the community. Opioid does not mean the stereotypical thought of heroin, but involves prescription medications as well, which is where nearly ninety percent of people fighting addiction, are introduced to them.

Washington Township is a Stigma Free Community and wants people to realize they are not alone. Education and involvement are the keys to coming together, learning, and handling the problem. In 2017, overdoses in Washington Township were at a record high. We need people to be aware of what is going on with prescription medications, sports injuries, the Overdose Prevention Act (N.J.S.A. 20:35-30), and what can be done to help those who are fighting addiction.

Please join us for an educational seminar on March 6^th  at 7:00 PM, at the Valley View Chapel, 115 East Mill Road, Long Valley NJ. Speakers will include Morris County Prosecutor Fred Knapp, Sheriff James Gannon, a presentation by Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan, and Alton Robinson from the C.A.R.E.S. program, which helps those fighting addiction. The Hope One Van from the Morris County Sheriffs Department will also be at the event. Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer session with a panel consisting of the speakers above, and local representatives from Washington Township.

Please sign up using the following link: https://learnthefactswtmc.eventbrite.com

Thank you again and I look forward to seeing you there. The first step towards fighting this epidemic is knowledge.

 Please help to spread the word by sharing this email and the attached invitation with your family, neighbors, and local  groups, boards, and committees.

 Thank you !

Last modified: April 3, 2022