Gloucester Police and City to Host Opiate Abuse Community Call to Action Event on May 2

For Immediate Release

Monday, April 20, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-865-4110

Gloucester Police and City to Host Opiate Abuse Community Call to Action Event on May 2

GLOUCESTER — The Gloucester Police Department, in collaboration with the Gloucester Health Department, Healthy Gloucester Collaborative, the office of Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, and the Gloucester City Council are seeking to shed light and bring attention to the vital issue of opioid addiction and abuse.

The City is conducting a forum: “Opiate Abuse: A Community Call to Action” on May 2, at 10 a.m. at City Hall.

Police Chief Leonard Campanello posted an item on the Gloucester Police Department’s social media channels in March, and the post reached more than 37,000 people.

“If we can get a tenth of those who viewed our last post about the opioid crisis to come to the forum, and if a tenth of those who attend the forum to get involved, we can start making huge change,” Chief Campanello said. “The Police Department is committed to this and I will be in attendance, intending on talking about the hard issues, answering the difficult questions, and posing a challenge for all of us.

“We are working toward reducing the stigma of addiction, reducing the misery of addiction and offering the services that are needed for anyone who wants to get help. The Police Department stands ready to make significant change in the way we approach this problem. We want others to join us and learn about all the collaborative efforts that are already in place and how you can help as well.”

Since the beginning of the year, the Gloucester Police Department has responded to dozens of opiate related overdoses and, unfortunately, the City has seen 4 deaths in this time that were heroin related.

“While we have been successful in our use of nasal Narcan and have saved lives, 4 deaths is 4 too many,” Chief Campanello said. “The dangers of heroin and opiate use are notorious. We do a lot to collaborate in awareness, prevention, and treatment and will continue to look for new ways to rid our streets of this poison.”

Chief Campanello reminds residents of the following:

• If you are not involved in opiates or heroin, help us. Inform yourself, call us when you see activity, volunteer. You can make a difference.
• If you are a user of opiates or heroin, let us help you. We know you do not want this addiction. We have resources here in the City that can and will make a difference in your life. Do not become a statistic. 
• If you are a dealer of heroin, opiates or any other poison: We are coming for you. We will find you. We will prosecute you to the fullest extent possible. You will pay the price for making money off the misery of others. It’s not a matter of “if” we find you, it’s a matter of “when” You’ve gotten your warning. Get out of our City.

Click here to download a poster for the May 2 forum.

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