TalleyWags Productions will be hosting a Community Forum entitled, “Break the Silence: A Discussion on Opiate Abuse” on Monday, November 9th at the Easton Library from 6pm-7:45pm. The forum will feature Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble, Emergency Room Physician and EMS Medical Director Tom Chiccone, Valerie Albee from Mariah’s Mission, Recovery Advocate Robert Kemp, Susan Knade of Partnership for Drug Free Kids, and Talley Wilford of TalleyWags Productions. Free and open to the public. Parents, health professionals, and concerned community members are encouraged to attend.
“The idea behind the forum is to get community members comfortable with having these conversations,” says Wilford. “We have heard so many stories from our community and want to provide an opportunity for people to ask questions and share concerns.” Some of the topics of discussion will be: effective tools for combating addiction, and biggest challenges for families and recovering addicts. There will be a Q&A following the panel discussion and local resources will be made available. “If we can break down the stigma around addiction and really communicate with each other, it may be a big step in combatting this urgent issue affecting so many of us.”
Sheriff Joe Gamble, who will be participating in the forum, hopes that the community begins to see opiate abuse as an issue that affects everyone and knows no socio-economic boundaries. “The most commonly asked question is where do we go for help,” says Sheriff Gamble. “There are many resources available to addicts and families. The more informed we are as a community, the better equipped we all are to handle this problem.” Also attending the forum will be community groups who will be able to answer questions and provide information. During the forum discussion, panelists will discuss topics such as “Who is at Risk?” and “What Are the Most Effective Tools to Combat Addiction?” There will be an opportunity to ask questions of panel members following the discussion.
The TalleyWags team is in post-production for the film project “Flashlight Tag” inspired by the lethal drug overdose of Easton native Matt Schilling a few years ago. It tells the story of three young men who transcend from boyhood into adulthood in a small town, and how their friendship is permanently impacted by substance abuse. The same day of the forum TalleyWags will hold a “No Latte Day” from 7am until midnight. Everyone is encouraged to redirect their day’s coffee money and contribute to the film. “We are close to reaching our fundraising goal,” says Producer Jen Wagner, “Every dollar gets us one step closer.” TalleyWags is a 501 C-3 and anyone wanting to make a contribution to the project can donate at mscf.org or by contacting Jen Wagner at 443-521-4084.
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