Public Invited to Join Live Studio Audience
HARTFORD, Conn. (April 7, 2016) – Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) invites members of the community to join the studio audience for Communities in Crisis: Battling Connecticut’s Heroin Epidemic on Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. at CPTV’s Hartford studios, located at 1049 Asylum Avenue. Hosted by journalist Diane Smith, the meeting will be broadcast live on CPTV and CPTV Sports at 8 p.m. The meeting will be rebroadcast on CPTV on Tuesday, May 3 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 at 6 p.m. and on CPTV Sports on Tuesday, April 26 at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, May 11 at 10 p.m. It can also be viewed on-demand at cptv.org/heroincrisis after the show airs.
Deaths in Connecticut from heroin and opioid overdose doubled in the past three years, reaching every corner of the state. Last year alone, nearly 550 people died. This multifaceted issue has many contributing factors, but one thing is for certain: Connecticut is facing a growing, life-threatening epidemic that refuses to discriminate based on social or economic status. During this live town hall meeting, a panel of experts and community leaders will discuss the significant challenges of opioid addiction and what local communities can do to help curb the alarmingly high rate of opioid dependence through effective treatment, prevention, and education.
Panelists will include:
- Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D.; Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Karen Butterworth-Erban MSN RN; Regional Director of Emergency Services- East Region Hartford Healthcare
- Matt Eacott, CARC, MATc; Certified Recovery Advisor and Vice President, Aware Recovery Care
- Maribeth Farley; Shatterproof Ambassador
- Louis J. Fusaro Jr.; Chief of Police, Town of Groton
“The opiate addiction epidemic is an important issue that affects citizens across Connecticut,” said Beth Messina, Vice President of Media Strategy. “This live Town Hall conversation on CPTV complements our reporting about opiate addiction and the heroin crisis on WNPR and WNPR.org. At CPBN, our mission includes facilitating discussions like these about the hard topics facing our communities, so we can all learn where the solutions are and how we can work together to reach them.”
The evening will begin with a reception catered by Blue Plate Kitchen, West Hartford at 6:30 p.m. Admission to this community discussion is free, but registration is required, and space is limited. Register at cptv.org/heroincrisis. Viewers at home are encouraged to follow the discussion using #CTHeroinCrisis or by e-mailing TownHallMeeting@ctpublic.org throughout the course of the meeting.
Funding for Communities in Crisis: Battling Connecticut’s Heroin Epidemic is provided by Presenting Sponsor Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield with additional support from the Robert G. and Marguerite M. Derx Foundation, Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Silver Hill Hospital, and UConn Health.
About Connecticut Public Broadcasting
The Connecticut Public (CPBN) is home to CPTV, WNPR and the Learning Lab. CPTV is a locally and nationally recognized producer and presenter of quality public television programming, including original documentaries, public affairs and educational programming. WNPR is an affiliate of National Public Radio, Public Radio International and American Public Media. The Learning Lab serves high school seniors through a partnership with Hartford Public Schools and the Journalism and Media Academy Magnet School. It is also home to the Institute for Advanced Media, a program that provides the men and women of our armed forces and adult learners an opportunity to learn skills necessary for the 21st century digital media workplace. For more information, visit cpbn.org.