Finding Solutions: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Westchester County
The Urban League of Westchester presents a Community Health Forum

The Urban League of Westchester ’s progressive advocacy and strong health promotion is at the forefront of building sustainable relationships within communities through effective collaboration and innovative programming. Operating the only state funded Syringe Exchange Program in the County; we provide syringe access to populations who are most at risk for HIV and Hepatitis C through injection drug use.
On March 26, 2018, the Urban League of Westchester County, Inc. presented a Community Health Forum, “Finding Solutions: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Westchester County”, at the Westchester County Department of Health in White Plains, NY. The Westchester County Department of Health, the HIV/AIDS Regional Resource Network Program U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Prudential served as co-sponsors. Forty Three individuals were in attendance. The Urban League’s goal is to engage community members and service providers in meaningful conversations about how to combat this critically important public health issue.
The Speakers and Topics included:
Gloria Searson “Hepatitis C and Opioid Use”
Coalition on Positive Health Empowerment
Lissette Marrero “Federal Update on HIV and Opioid Use”
HIV/AIDS Regional Resource Network Program
Lyla Hunt “Drug User Health
AIDS Institute, Office of Drug User Health
Dahlia Austin “Substance Use and Mental Health”
Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health
Santo Barbagiovanni – “HIV Surveillance”
NY State Department of Health
The next steps will include continuing to partner with local agencies and organizations to determine if appropriate services are being provided for clients that have a history of Opioid Use, engaging service providers and clients to utilize resources in the community, as well as, providing preventive education such as Opioid Overdose Prevention (Naloxone Kits) to community members.
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