Crime & Safety
Multiple ODs Prompt Drug Talk in Long Beach
City Hall to host roundtable discussion to help avoid more tragedies.
Long Beach officials are gearing up to educate the community after multiple fatal drug overdoses were reported in Long Beach so far this year.
Residents are invited to City Hall Wednesday at 7 p.m. for a panel discussion of community experts to boost awareness and education on drug abuse prevention.
“It’s more about awareness than anything,” Police Commissioner Michael Tangney told the Long Beach Herald. “We’re looking to give factual information out about drug use, things people can do to get assistance if they do have an addiction problem and let the community know that we’re addressing a serious issue.”
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Tangney said three people are believed to have died of drug overdoses in Long Beach, with two of those deaths occurring just hours apart in February, said the report.
The five-person panel will be made up of law enforcement, including Tangney, school officials, and substance abuse representatives from the community. Al-Anon, AA, and NA reps will also have tables set up with information about their programs.
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In addition to Tangney, the panel will include Long Beach School Superintendent David Weiss, Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking’s Judi Vining, Nassau County Health Department and Heroin Prevention Task Force’s Eden Laikin, and Long Beach REACH Inc.’s Monica Pal.
"Drug use cannot be accepted," Tangney told the Herald. "You have to intervene as soon as possible. It’s not a very comfortable thing, and it’s going to take a great effort to identify and then help drug users and abusers.”Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
