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Chesapeake film, panel event highlights local opioid awareness

Posted at 7:29 PM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-15 08:12:06-05

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - The City of Chesapeake is raising awareness about the local opioid problem Tuesday night.

The event, "Opening Our Eyes to Opioid Addiction", will include dinner, an expert panel and a viewing of the FBI-produced film, "Chasing the Dragon: Life of an Opiate Addict".

Opioid use, which the president recently declared a national public health emergency, takes tens of thousands of lives each year.

Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare is hosting the event at the Chesapeake Conference Center.

"75% of people who use heroin began with prescription opioids so it's very important to get the word out on that," said David Dillon, a prevention specialist for CIBH.

Sponsors include CIBH, City of Chesapeake and the local FBI.