SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Rotary Club is preparing to host a forum surrounding the opioid addiction crisis on May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Southwick Town Hall. Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, will be the headline speaker that includes a panel of guests.
In a press release sent out by the Rotary Club on April 17, it states, “Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi, Hampden County Sheriff, is taking a proactive approach to the epidemic by reaching out to his communities in Hampden County. His goal is to take advantage of programs and awareness before a victim needs to be incarcerated for various reasons regarding opioids and other drugs.”
Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. (Photo courtesy of Nick Cocchi’s website)
The press release also adds that Cocchi is trying to present the theme of “Not in my town, not with my kids.”
Alongside Cocchi, Southwick Police and Fire, school administration, the Select Board, and Courtney Rex of the Michael Diaz Foundation will also be on the panel.
There will also be numerous organization that will have exhibits on display. This includes the Southwick Health Department, One Call Away, ADCARE outpatient addiction services, Narcotics Anonymous 12-step recovery program, New England Adventures, From the Ground Up, and Learn to Cope, a state- funded agency.
This event was originally scheduled for February 7, 2018 but was postponed due to inclement weather.
If anyone has comments or wants more information on the forum, contact Mike Parent at 413-998-3634, who is the Vice President of the Rotary Club.
