Opioid addiction, especially from opioids in prescribed pain relievers has soared in the U.S. reaching over 2.1 million persons according to recent data. On Thursday, Nov. 17, from noon to 2 p.m. in the HCC Beacon Hall Events Center, a distinguished panel will discuss the past, present, and future impact of opioid use.

Opioids are present in such drugs as heroin and morphine and also frequently used as an analgesia to help reduce pain in many prescriptions commonly used by millions.

The HCC panel discussing opioid addiction includes; from the Bridgeport Police Dept. Chief Armando Perez and Captain Mark Strauble; Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Cepelak and Debora Henault, Dept. of Corrections Addiction Services; Louis Reed, program manager Bridgeport Mayor Ganim’s Initiative for Re-entry; Maritza Bond, Bridgeport Public Health Director; Nathan Hine, Bridgeport Correctional Center Deputy Warden; Brian D. Boyle, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge; Dr. Richard Torres, Bridgeport Hospital, Allison Kernan, Certified Recovery Coach and Board Member of the Treatment and Recovery sub-committee, Conn. Drug and Alcohol Policy Council.

The public is invited to this Panel Discussion at no charge. Parking is available in the HCC garage. For further information, contact HCC Psychology Professor John Sopchak, 203-332-8547, .