America’s opioid epidemic is the topic of discussion for speakers including Mayor Nan Whaley, Sheriff Phil Plummer, and Barry Meier of the New York Times, at the November 2 and 3 event at Sinclair’s building 12.
Sinclair Community College is collaborating with Antioch University and ThinkTV to facilitate the two-day discussion about the epidemic that has so drastically affected the nation, state, city and the lives of many people.
Starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, the event begins with a keynote presentation from N.Y. Times journalist and Pulitzer Prize winning writer Barry Meier. Meier began reporting about the opioid crisis in 2001 and has written a book called “Pain Killer: A ‘Wonder’ Drug’s Trail of Addiction and Death” which was published in 2003.
The event includes a screening of the Tribeca Film Festival premiered “1000 Junkies,” directed by Tommy Swerdlow, who is known for writing the screenplays of the movies “Cool Running” and “Snow Dogs.” Swerdlow himself is a recoverer of a two-decade long battle with addiction.
The event includes panel discussions with community experts, local policy makers, first responders and caregivers. The panels include Sinclair alumni Will McChesney, Prison Education Program Director Cheryl Taylor, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer.
Thursday’s activities end at 5 p.m. and resume on Friday at 10 a.m. Among the speakers and panel discussions the event will also include Narcan training and a Master Class called “Storytelling and Democracy: Creating Positive Change,” led by award winning directors Peter Werner and Stuart Sender.
For more information about Creating a Narrative for Change: The Opioid Crisis, visit Sinclair’s event page on sinclair.edu.
Will Drewing
Managing Editor