A.G. Shapiro expected to speak at local forum Saturday

Drug Addiction Resource Alliance to host March 17 event

Members of the public are invited to a public forum Saturday meant to provide resources and information to the public about drug addition and recovery.

The local Drug Addiction Resource Alliance [DARA] will hold a public resource information forum starting at 2 p.m. on March 17. Confirmed guests include Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro; Rob Reed, the state’s Executive Deputy Attorney General; Gary Hendler, host of the “Clean and Sober” radio program; and retired police Lt. Ray Wilson, who lost his son to an overdose.

Doors will open at 1 p.m. for those who attend to visit and learn from the roughly two dozen local agencies and groups that will be present. Attendees can also receive free doses of Narcan, a substance that assists in recovery from drug overdose, provided by the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety and training on how to administer it; those interested must register beforehand by emailing darasaveslives@gmail.com.

DARA is a group of local resources in the North Penn area that are available to those who suspect a friend, family member or other loved one may have a substance use disorder. Local agencies and groups in attendance include: Aldersgate, The Council of South East Pennsylvania/ Pro-Act, Eagleville Hospital, Fairmount Behavioral Health, Gaudenzia, The Horsham Clinic, Keystone Center, Livengrin Foundation, Malvern Institute, Montgomery County Community College, NAR-ANON, NHS Human Services, Penn Foundation, Rehab After Work/ School, Renew Family Services, Sobriety Solutions, Steps to Recovery, Summit Behavioral Health, The Lamb Foundation, and Valley Forge Medical Center. Several Montgomery County offices and agencies will also be present, including Montgomery County Community Connections, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the Montgomery County Drug and Alcohol Office and the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office.

The free public forum will be held at the Montgomery Township municipal building, 1001 Stump Road in Montgomery Township. For more information, visit www.DARA saveslives. com or search for “Drug Addiction Resource Alliance DARA” on Facebook.