The statewide opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on Massachusetts communities and Nantucket is not exempt. The island is facing the same difficult issues surrounding opiate abuse as its counterparts on the mainland, but Nantucket health and public safety officials are working together to address the problem head-on.

Nantucket Cottage Hospital and the Town of Nantucket Board of Health are pleased to present The Nantucket Opioid Symposium on May 9^th, an opportunity for island residents to listen to a panel of experts and community leaders discuss the problem, ask questions, and explore solutions together.

The symposium speakers and panelists include:

• Cheryl Bartlett, Executive Director, Cape Cod Healthcare’s Regional Substance Abuse Initiative
• Dr. Domenic Ciraulo, Chief Medical Advisor, Gosnold on Cape Cod
• Tom Clinger, Detective Sergeant, Nantucket Police Department
• Dr. Tim Lepore, Medical Director & Chief of Surgery, Nantucket Cottage Hospital
• Peter MacKay, Social Services Department manager, Nantucket Cottage Hospital
• Tess Pearson, Executive Director, Family & Children’s Services of Nantucket
• Aline Wommack, nurse & suboxone program coordinator, Nantucket Cottage Hospital

These speakers and panelists will discuss a range of topics, including but not limited to:

• What is the opioid problem?
• What are opioids?
• How do they differ?
• What are the signs and symptoms of abuse?
• What are the treatment challenges?
• What does law enforcement say and do?
• Is there a generational abuse issue?
• What are the action steps and resources?

What: The Nantucket Opioid Symposium

Where: Nantucket Public Safety Facility, Community Room

When: May 9, 2015

Registration: 9 a.m.

Symposium: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

In partnership with: Family & Children’s Services of Nantucket, Gosnold on Cape Cod, the Nantucket Police Department