BENTON HARBOR — The Tri-County Opioid Abuse Prevention Task Force will host a free conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, 1100  Yore Ave., to address professionals on “Responding to the State of Emergency-The Opioid Epidemic”. 

Currently only 50 seats remaining available.  Check-in and continental breakfast begins at 8 a.m. Professional training credits are available for: MCBAP, social work and SCECH.  The media is welcome.

The conference is focused on stigma and addiction, ways to manage pain without medication, treating chronic versus acute pain, and prenatal opioid exposure effects. The conference will further address the dangers of prescription medication abuse. Naloxone overdose response training will also be available.

The conference is filled with resource vendors, training materials, and all meals are provided.  Although a limited number of walk-in participants are welcome, pre-registration is highly encouraged on Eventbrite.com by searching “opioid epidemic” or at:   eventbrite.com/e/responding-to-the-state-of-emergency-the-opioid-epidemic-tickets-42248102211?aff=es2 

The conference is sponsored by a grant through Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health and organized by the Tri-County Opioid Abuse Prevention Task Force (Berrien, Cass, Van Buren counties).

For additional information, contact Colleen Mencl, Van Buren Community Mental Health at CMENCL@vbcmh.com or call (269) 655-3399.