In 2014, there were 198 deaths due to heroin in Cuyahoga County. Approximately 50 percent of those deaths were in the suburbs.
Much remains unknown and misunderstood about substance abuse.
Four public sessions presented by the The Laura & Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program—titled “Substance Abuse: The Biggest Epidemic You Don’t Know Enough About”—will address the effect substance abuse is having in communities. The first session will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Siegal Facility Auditorium in Beachwood (26500 Shaker Blvd.).
The first program is titled “Drug Use and Addiction: Up Close and Personal” and will feature Lee Hoffer, associate professor of anthropology, who will speak about why people become addicted to heroin, how they buy it and how they become connected to the market. Michael Clune, professor of English, also will share his personal experience with addiction, how he found recovery and what he learned from 13 years of working with addicts seeking help.
The series will continue at the same location Oct. 1, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
Each informational event is free, except for preferred seating. Registration is recommended.
Registration for each event is available online.
For more information, contact Kathleen Gill, director of marketing for the Siegal Lifelong Learning Program, at kag13@case.edu or 216.368.2157.