There will be meeting and presentation to address the issue of dealing with opioid abuse on March 24 at 9 a.m. in the Horizon’s Conference Room at Bay Mills Resort & Casino. Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Agency and FBI will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin as well as powerful pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, fentanyl and many others. Drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioid pain relievers have increased dramatically since 1999. Concerted federal and state efforts have been made to curb this epidemic.

All community members are welcome and encouraged to attend this event. The meeting will begin with a brief presentation of material and then the screening of the documentary Chasing the Dragon. The 45-minute film, whose title refers to the never-ending pursuit of the original or ultimate high, features stark first-person accounts told by individuals who have abused opioids or whose children have abused opioids, with tragic consequences. A question and answer session will follow the film.