“Eyes Wide Open” Forum Tackles Opiate Crisis

Amid a heroin and opiate crisis in the valley, the community bands together to help save those affected by addiction.
 
Organizers say it’s going to take everyone, law enforcement, medical professionals, members of the public, to help curb the impact of heroin and opiates in the valley.
 
The first Eyes Wide Open Community Forum offered a wide variety of ways to attack the opiate crisis.

Representatives from the US Attorney’s Office, treatment centers, law enforcement and education joined together at West Fargo High School.

The goal is to find new ways to reduce opiate use and help people who are addicted.

The fact that hundreds of community members also came out is heartening to organizers.

“I’m just holding in the emotion,” says Monica McConkey with Prairie St. John, “It’s right under the surface and it’s amazing. It’s exciting, and it’s also sad in a sense because it’s evidence of the need.”

According to the CDC, 100 people die from drug overdoses every day in the U.S.
 
This is the first community forum on combating drug use, but it won’t be the last.

Organizers hope to hold another meeting this fall.