Pennsauken Township, the Pennsauken Township Board of Education, and the Pennsauken Police Department are lending their support to a free educational program and forum sponsored by the Diocese of Camden, Discovery Ministries, Inc., and Catholic Charities that is designed to draw attention to a serious problem that’s destroying countless lives: prescription opioids and heroin abuse.

“In 2015, two million Americans had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers; over half a million people had a substance use disorder involving heroin. The impact of this issue on adolescents is staggering,” says Msgr. Michael Mannion, Office Community Relations, Diocese of Camden. “Only by bringing together all facets of the community can we shed light on this issue and begin to work on real world, practical solutions.”

The presentation and panel, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., at Camden Catholic High School, 300 Cuthbert Rd., Cherry Hill, N.J. The event’s special presenter will be Nicholas J. Kolen, assistant special agent in charge, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division.

“Students, parents, teachers, community leaders, and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend this free event,” says Nicholas Perry, president, Pennsauken Township Board of Education. “Our young people are our greatest resource; addiction to prescription drugs and heroin is taking these shining lights from us. It will take all facets of our community to address this serious issue head on.”

The main sponsors of this program are the Diocese of Camden; the Office of Community Relations, Diocese of Camden; Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden; Discovery Ministries, Inc.; Pennsauken Township Board of Education; Camden County Addiction Awareness Taskforce; United States Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division; Philadelphia-Camden HIDTA; and the Corbi Printing Corporation, Audubon, N.J.

For more information, e-mail timothy.p.mcmahon@usdoj.gov, call (862) 849-9863, or visit @DEANEWJERSEYDiv on Twitter.