White House Deputy Drug Czar to join local leaders in repsonding to heroin crisis at April 19 forum at Lewis University

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April 11

ROMEOVILLE – There is still time to register to attend the 2013 HERO HELPS Community forum during which the WhiteHouse’s Deputy Drug Czar will join Will County leaders in outlining strategiesto address the heroin abuse epidemic.

Michael Botticelli, deputy director of theOffice of National Drug Control Policy, will present the keynote address at the2013 Hero Helps Community Forum slated for April 19 at Lewis University inRomeoville. The forum runs from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Registration on theday of the event begins at 7:45 a.m.

Continuing Education Credits throughIllinois Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc.,Silver Cross Hospital and Aurora University are available to healthcareprofessionals, social workers, counselors and substance abuse treatment andprevention providers who attend the April 19 forum. Four CME units or CEU’swill be available for healthcare professionals, LCSW’s, LCPC’s, and allIAODAPCA certification categories at no charge.

Deputy Director Botticelli has more thantwo decades of experience supporting people affected by substance abusedisorders. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, he served as Director ofthe Bureau of Substance Abuse Services at the Massachusetts Department ofPublic Health, where he developed and expanded innovative and nationally recognized prevention,intervention, treatment and recovery programs.

“Drug use inAmerica should be treated as a public health issue, not a moral or just acriminal justice issue,” Botticelli said. “Decades of scientific researchdemonstrate beyond a doubt that substance use disorders – the underlying causeof too much harm to our citizens – is a disease that can be successfullyprevented and treated. The good news is that we are not powerless against thischallenge and we are making a difference.”

Other speakers at the forum will include:James Roache, FBI-Chicago Division; Kathleen Burke, Robert Crown Center forHealth Education; Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck, Illinois Department of Public Health;Dr. David Mikolajczak, Silver Cross Hospital; Dr. Seth Eisenberg, IllinoisDepartment of Human Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse; and Dr.Steven Aks, Toxikon Consortium and Cook County Health and Hospital System.

 “This synchronized public health strategy is critical to oursuccess in reducing the number of heroin overdose deaths in our county,” saidPaul Lauridsen, clinical director for Stepping StonesTreatment Center. “We are honored to have the Deputy Director of the ONDCPechoing our message on this vital health issue.”

The 2013 Hero Helps Community Forum will beheld the JFK Sports Complex on the campus of Lewis University, One UniversityParkway, Romeoville.  For moreinformation, visit the HERO HELPS Web site: www.herohelpsevent.org.