September 18, 2017-Understanding the Dangers of Opioid Misuse Webinar Series

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston’s Opioid Task Force is offering a series of interactive webinars to specifically geared toward concerned parents and adults. The webinars are being held on four consecutive Thursdays, beginning September 21, from 1 to 2 p.m.

We are facing an opioid and addiction crisis of epidemic proportion. Massachusetts is one of the hardest hit states in the country, with more than 12,000 overdoses in 2016, resulting in more than 2,100 deaths. What can we do within our families, faith communities and schools to stem the tide? As part of its mandate to address this epidemic, the Archdiocese of Boston’s Opioid Task Force is offering these webinars.

 September 21– Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan  
Responding to the Opioid Crisis.
District Attorney Ryan will provide an overview of the origins of the crisis, the scope of the problem in Massachusetts, and lessons learned from the recovery community. DA Ryan will also discuss the latest research regarding childhood trauma as a precursor to opioid misuse. 

September 28 – John Burress, MD, MPH, FACOEM and Barbara Herbert, MD DFASAM, members of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Opioid Task Force
The Opioid Crisis and the Medical Profession: What Parents Need to Know.
How can we mitigate the risks of opioid misuse for children? What are the telltale signs of opioid addiction in youth, and when should a parent/guardian seek help? How can parents/guardians best advocate for their children when physicians want to prescribe opioids? Dr. Burress and Dr. Herbert will address these questions and more.

October 5 – Deacon Jim Greer, MAPT, CT, Office of Chaplaincy Programs  
The Loss Associated with Substance Abuse. 
The death of a loved one is always devastating, but when that loss is the result of an overdose, there can be emotions that bring unique challenges in addition to the typical symptoms of grief. Deacon Greer will provide guidance on responding to an addiction-related loss of a schoolmate, friend, relative or family member. 

October 12 – Kristan Bagley-Jones, LICSW, Program Director of the Children’s Wellness Initiative at Franciscan Children’s Hospital  
Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents. 
20% of youth in the US have a mental illness. How do you recognize the signs? How do you get professional help to understand whether a child is struggling with normal developmental issues or has a more serious mental health problem? Mental illness is treatable; the earlier the intervention, the better the prognosis. Untreated, it can lead to significant mental health conditions and risky behaviors, including suicidal thoughts and actions.  

Please join our webinar to learn about the mental health crisis our children are facing. You may sign up for one or all of our webinars. There is no charge for these webinars; registration is free. To register, please visit www.masscatholicOTF.org
For more information on the Archdiocese of Boston’s Opioid Task Force, please visit, 

www.masscatholicotf.org.
Questions about the webinars or problems with registering? Please email [email protected] or call 617-833-0811.