****** MEDIA ADVISORY *******
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Indian Police Department is hosting a community awareness summit on the rising of prescription opiates and heroin abuse and the epidemic of heroin related overdose deaths on the reservation and surrounding areas in western North Carolina. The summit will be held on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. EDT.
U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose and Principal Chief Patrick Lambert of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will deliver the day’s opening remarks. Speakers and panel participants will discuss a variety of topics, including but not limited to, prescription drug and heroin abuse and addiction, overdose-related fatalities, law enforcement efforts to stem the flow of drugs, availability of community resources, outreach efforts and education to affected communities. This summit will educate community members, law enforcement and service providers about opiate and heroin distribution, the physiological effects of the drugs and introduce the community to interventions and best practices that are available within the boundaries of the EBCI and the western North Carolina region.
Help from the media in advancing news of this summit to encourage attendance by parents, teachers, faith-based organizations and other community leaders would be valuable in spreading the message. Attendance is free of charge but seating is limited.
Media is invited to cover the event from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., beginning with welcome remarks of agency representatives who will also be available for on-camera interviews.
PRESENTERS: Jill Westmoreland Rose, United States Attorney, Western District of North Carolina
Principal Chief Patrick Lambert, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Chris Fletcher, Special Agent, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
Richard Hutchinson, Special Agent, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Department
Dr. Steven Lloyd, Internal Medicine
Local Health Officials
Victims of Heroin and Opioids
WHAT: Heroin & Opioid Awareness Summit
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at 9:00 A.M. EDT
WHERE: Chief Joyce Dugan Cultural Arts Center
Cherokee Central Schools
260 Elk Crossing Lane
Cherokee, NC
(Enter through the Cherokee Middle School)
NOTE: Please arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. All media must present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Lia Bantavani at Lia.Bantavani@usdoj.gov or 704-338-3140.
NOT FOR RELEASE OR PUBLICATION, FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
