Opioid crisis in southern Illinois to be discussed in virtual town hall

The Southern Seven Health Department will host an virtual town hall meeting on opioid medication, from 6 to 7 p.m. on March 31.

This event, sponsored by the Alexander/Pulaski County Action Council (APAC) is designed to help participants better understand the current opioid crisis in southern Illinois and how to respond.

Included in the meeting will be a 40-minute viewing of the Oscar-nominated film "Heroin(e)" that highlights the devastating opioid epidemic. The movie will be followed by a discussion with a panel of professionals that will answer questions and provide additional information. Panelists will include a pharmacist, overdose prevention specialist, law enforcement, state's attorney, a recovering addict, and more.

The first 35 participants who register and complete the entire presentation will receive a $20 gift certificate to a small business in Pulaski County which includes restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores.

For more information and to register for the Opioid Medication Virtual Town Hall Meeting, visit the S7HD website at www.southern7.org and click on the Events tab located at the top of the home page. Or, call Natalie Sawyer at (618) 634-2297 ext. 9136 or Gabrielle Harris at (618) 967-2987. You can also register on the Southern Seven Health Department Facebook page.