Public invited to fentanyl summit in Hilo
The 3rd Annual Hawaii Fentanyl and Addictions Summit will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
This free event hosted by the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force “established itself as the state’s premier opioid and addiction awareness summit since its inception in 2022,” according to a press release. It brings together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds across Hawaii to tackle the opioid-driven addiction and overdose crisis affecting our communities.
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“We are committed to doing all we can to protect our community from the opioid and fentanyl epidemic,” said Mayor Mitch Roth in the press release. “Since November 2021, we have worked closely with community leaders and health care professionals to address this crisis head-on, and this summit represents a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to protect and educate our residents.”
The event will feature a series of informative sessions aimed at educating attendees about the dangers of opioids and fentanyl, sharing the latest facts and statistics about this epidemic, and identifying actionable solutions.
Attendees can expect to hear from families directly impacted by a drug overdose, participate in active discussions, and collaborate on strategies.
Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita, the Chief Executive for the Big Island Substance Abuse Council and one of the leaders of the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force, emphasized the importance of community involvement.
“This epidemic is much closer to your household than you might think” she said in the release. “By attending the summit, you can become more educated and aware of this issue and learn how to protect your loved ones.”
“The collaboration and dedication of everyone involved in this summit demonstrate our collective commitment to making a difference,” said Dr. Kevin Kunz, also a task force leader. “Together, we can turn the tide on this crisis that is killing someone every nine days on Hawaii Island and one every twenty-eight hours in the state of Hawaii.”
The public is encouraged to attend the summit to gain valuable insights and contribute to the fight against this opioid crisis. For more information on the summit and to register, please visit https://www.hiftf.org.
