SCRANTON – The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) will host its spring Keystone Symposium, “The Opioid Epidemic: What You Need to Know,” on April 2 at TCMC’s Medical Sciences Building, 525 Pine Street. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:15 a.m. and the Symposium runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Northeastern Pennsylvania and the entire nation are facing an epidemic of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription opioid pain relievers. In 2012, healthcare providers wrote more than 250 million prescriptions for opioid painkillers, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Prescribing guidelines are changing to deal with the crisis, but those who are addicted often turn to street drugs, such as heroin.
This symposium will offer strategies for the proper diagnosis, treatment and recovery of patients suffering from this nationwide epidemic.
The keynote speaker is Margaret Jarvis, M.D., medical director of Marworth Treatment Center in Waverly Township. The symposium will also include “Pathway to Recovery,” during which attendees will hear a patient’s story. John Boll, D.O. a family medicine practitioner with Susquehanna Health will present on “Best Practices in Pain Management” and the symposium will conclude with an impact and resources panel discussion featuring:
• William Hoban, Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs
• Erica Hoot, PharmD, Wilkes University
• Shane Scanlon, Lackawanna County District Attorney
• Robert Klein, Susquehanna County District Attorney
• Carl Graziano, Scranton Chief of Police
• The Hon. Michael Barrasse, Drug Treatment Court, Lackawanna County
For more information or to register, visit tcmc.edu/keystone.
