The Opiate Crisis in Central Vermont: A Comprehensive Discussion With the People on the Front Lines
Channel: ORCA Media
Date: 12/02/2018

THE OPIOID CRISIS HITS HOME

As part of its Into the Issues series, The Times Argus is proud to host a public forum — “The Opiate Crisis in Central Vermont: A Comprehensive Discussion With the People on the Front Lines” — on Monday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Montpelier High School auditorium. This important community-wide discussion will be free.

The forum will feature two hour-long discussions: one on the scope of the opioid crisis; the other on the crisis through the lens of law enforcement. Nearly a dozen panelists, with local and statewide expertise, will offer their unique perspectives on the farthest-reaching threat to face our state. Each discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

The participants include:
— Tim Bombadier is the public safety director for the Barre City Police Department.
— Brandon del Pozo is the police chief for the City of Burlington.
— Ann Gilbert is director of Central Vermont New Directions Coalition. 
— Deborah Hopkins is director of Central Vermont Substance Abuse Services.
— Dr. Mark Levine is commissioner of the state Department of Health.
— Neil Martel is a captain for the Montpelier Police Department.
— Dr. Javad Mashkuri is medical director of the Central Vermont Medical Center's emergency department.
— Capt. John Merrigan is commander of Special Investigations for the Vermont State Police.
— Mary Moulton is director of Washington County Mental Health Services.
— Dr. Joshua Plavin is vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont.
— And Rory Thibault is acting Washington County State's Attorney.

The evening will be facilitated by Times Argus Editor Steven Pappas.

This Into the Issues event is sponsored by Vermont Community Media, which owns The Times Argus and Rutland Herald. It will be live-streamed on ORCA Media, and also will rebroadcast in the coming weeks on public access stations around the state.

Please join us for the most comprehensive discussion of this crisis with the state's top experts.