‘Tools for facing the drug epidemic’ Oct. 8 in Tamaqua

Zion Lutheran Church in Tamaqua is hosting “Strategies and tools for facing the drug epidemic,” a free workshop for faith leaders, mental health and drug and alcohol professionals and interested residents in Schuylkill and Carbon counties beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 8.

This six-hour training, given by Greg A. Krause, who is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, is sponsored by Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol, Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol, St. Luke’s Health Network and the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network.

The training, previously offered in Lehigh and Northampton counties, will provide information and resources regarding the current substance use epidemic and specifically address the opioid epidemic facing Pennsylvania today. The impact of the epidemic on local communities has been significant.

This daylong training will explore how to identify substance use concerns, how to intervene effectively and how to locate resources. Attendees will be able to identify the full impact of substances on the community and develop an understanding to effectively support those with these issues in the community.

Lunch and a coffee break are provided.

Attendance is by registration only. Register by Oct. 4 at www.ziontamaqua.com/out-of-the-darkness. For additional information, contact Melissa Kalyan, Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol, 570-621-2890 or mkalyan@co.schuylkill.pa.us or Rosemarie Lister, St. Luke’s Health Network, at 610-628-8462 or rosemarie.lister@sluhn.org.

This training is approved by the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and is sponsored by the Rural Community Opioid Response Planning Committee. This project is supported by Health Resources Services Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this release do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.