SYRACUSE — Chautauqua-Wawasee is hosting “Heroin & RX Painkillers: A Time for Community Action” from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Oakwood Resort Event Center, Syracuse. Cost is $10 per person and includes lunch.

This event is open to the public, community members, professionals, individuals from all sectors. Parents, schools, health care professionals, employers, faith community, community leaders and policy influencers are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

In 2014, more than 47,000 people died of drug overdoses in the country. Opioids, including prescription drugs and heroin, were involved in 28,647 or 61 percent of all overdose deaths, making opioid painkillers the deadliest drug in America after tobacco and alcohol.

Come learn more, including what to do with the right resources to address heroin and prescription drug abuse in Indiana’s communities.

Following this event, participants will be equipped to understand the history, current use and impact of heroin and prescription painkillers on local communities and identify resources for opioid use prevention, intervention and referral to treatment to help plan and implement local prevention efforts and support the local communities.

They will also develop a community-based action plan for addressing the opioid epidemic, effectively use the “Heroin & Prescription Painkillers: Toolkit for Community Action” with its accompanying video to support the implementation of community action plans, and work with others in the local area to combat the issue through mobilizing community efforts.

This event, moderated by Marty Harding, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, will feature addiction professionals and community leaders who will share expertise on this serious issue.

Featured speakers include Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan. Local professionals include Tony Ciriello, Kosciusko County coroner, Megan Fisher, Addiction Systems at Otis R. Bowen Center, Jeff Mullins, president of Waters Edge Recovery, Beth Seabolt, Rose Home North-Recovery Home for Women, Det. Sgt. R. J. Nethaway and others.

Chautauqua-Wawasee, a non-profit organization in Syracuse, is based on four pillars: arts, education, recreation and religion. This event is made possible by Parkview Foundation, co-sponsored by Otis R. Bowen Center and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and hosted by Chautauqua-Wawasee. For questions contact: Chautauqua-Wawasee Pillar Manager Tammy Cotton (574) 377-7543.

To reserve a spot, visit www.hazelden.org/web/public/event.view?eventId=5571484.