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Community Drug Forum
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department The Camarillo Police Department and Saving Lives Camarillo, an anti-drug coalition, will host a community drug forum Tuesday evening to discuss community trends and the impacts caused by the abuse of heroin, prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and new designer drugs (i.e., Bath Salts, Spice). Prescription pill and heroin abuse has increased in many communities throughout the United States, and the reason may surprise most people. Many of the young people who find their way down a path toward opium addiction began the treacherous journey in a medicine cabinet at home. Most prescription pain medications derive their potency from opium. With pills being commonly prescribed for a variety of ailments, they are easily accessible both at home and on the street. The transition from pills to either smoking or injecting heroin is inevitable, given ample supplies and relatively cheap prices. The physical and psychological need to maintain the addiction is the bridge that leads from prescription pills to heroin. The communities in Ventura County are no exception to this growing problem. Tuesday evening, officials from law enforcement, the medical field, and behavioral health community will host a forum that is free to attend and open to anyone interested in learning more about this disturbing trend in our community. The forum will feature Assistant Sheriff Gary Pentis, Sgt. Victor Fazio, Behavior Specialist Dr. Thomas Carver, and Los Robles ER Doctor Matthew Beatty. The emcee will be Commander Steve DeCesari, Chief of Police of the Camarillo Police Department. Other supporters include the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, Los Robles Hospital, and the Sespe Counseling Center. The DUI awareness trailer will be on display, and coffee will be provided free of charge by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Nature of Incident: Community Drug Forum |
