PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT
John Adams Courthouse
One Pemberton Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
MEDIA ADVISORY
CONTACT:
Jennifer Donahue/Erika Gully-Santiago
Jennifer.Donahue@jud.state.ma.us
617-557-1114
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2019
Holyoke District Court to Hold Public Forum on Drug Use and Addiction
WHAT:
Holyoke District Court, together with the National Center for State Courts, will present a panel discussion and public forum on community-based strategies to address drug use and drug addiction in the community.
“Like many other cities and towns in Massachusetts and throughout the United States, Holyoke is facing many challenges related to substance abuse, including criminal activity, overdoses and drug related deaths,” said Holyoke District Court First Justice William Hadley. “We have been working with local law enforcement officials, healthcare providers and others in the community to develop strategies to reduce opioid misuse and addiction by increasing opportunities for immediate and effective treatment of individuals who may come in contact with the criminal justice system.”
The panel discussion and public forum event will include speakers from the court system, law enforcement, and behavioral health professionals. Following the panel, audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions, provide comments, and make suggestions.
Panelists include:
- William Hadley, First Justice, Holyoke District Court
- Manuel Moutinho, Clerk Magistrate, Holyoke District Court
- Sean McBride, Chief Probation Officer, Holyoke District Court
- Nick Cocchi, Sheriff of Hampden County
- Manuel Febo, Chief of Police for the City of Holyoke
- Ari Kriegsman, M.D., Attending Physician, Opioid Treatment Program at Providence Hospital
- Elizabeth Evans, PhD., MA, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, UMASS, Amherst
- Debra Flynn-Gonzalez, Program Director, Hope for Holyoke Peer Recovery Support Center
- Maria Quinn, MSN, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric NP, Holyoke Hospital
WHEN:
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:
War Memorial Building, 310 Appleton St., Holyoke, MA.
Press are welcome to attend and cover the event.
###