OVERDOSED AMERICA

Did you know and that every 19 minutes someone in the U.S. dies from a prescription drug overdose? 

No family is immune to the dangers of prescription drug abuse - it doesn't discriminate, and affluent communities such as many in the Bay Area are especially vulnerable to the impact of it. Adults throughout the Bay Area are invited to join us for an important community conversation about Prescription Drug Abuse, the fastest growing substance abuse problem in America.

To understand how all of this developed and what WE can do about it, we will examine:    

What's really driving the high number of prescriptions being written for both adults and youth?  What are the finanical and other factors that have led to our society's "pill for every ill" mindset?  What do we need to know and do to keep our families safe? All of this and more will be addressed after San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson's greeting by our Keynote Speaker, Gwen Olsen (www.gwenolsen.com), 2007 Human Rights Award Recipient, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, activist and a 15-year veteran of the pharmaceutical sales world. 

Following Gwen's presentation, a panel of experts including Dr. Richard Gracer (gracermedicalgroup.com), Dr. Jeff Johnson (movepastyourpain.com) and Dr. Michael Shpak (http://michaelshpaknaturalmedicinecenter.com/), will explain the disease of addiction, how to both avoid and treat it, and what options can be used to manage health problems without dangerous, potentially addictive medications as a first course of treatment. 

Learn directly from federal agency ONCDP's Director Gil Kerlikowski and  Contra Costa County's District Attorney, Mark Peterson what impact prescription narcotic drugs are having on our nation and local communities.  Gain a critical new perspective on the toll prescription drug abuse is taking on our youth as Teen Esteem Director Linda Turnbull (teenesteen.org) shares what she's learned directly from students their organization teaches throughout the Tri-Valley area.        

The information shared at this event, which includes a Health Expo with a wealth of free health management resources and information, is essential for every adult and especially for those with children.  Knowledge is power and it can literally save lives when it comes to how we deal with the controlled substances that are so freely prescribed today.

NCAPDA would like to thank Carolyn Johnson, Co-anchor, ABC7 News for moderating this important community event.  

Agenda:

Health Expo:  5:00-6:30 pm [Light refreshments will be served]

Greeting:  6:30-6:35 pm [San Ramon Mayor Clarkson]

Introduction:  6:35-6:45 [Gil Kerlikowski and Mark Peterson]

Keynote Presentation:  6:45-7:30 pm [Gwen Olsen]

Panel Presentation:  7:30-8:25 pm [Drs. Gracer, Johnson & Shpak and Linda Turnbull]

Closing:  8:25-8:30 pm [April Rovero]

A BIG thanks to Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center for hosting Overdosed America      

                            wedgewoodbanquet.com/san_ramon/index.html

Presented By: 

National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA)

Promotional Supporters:

Communities Against Substance Abuse (CASA); Community Resource Network (CRN); Danville Chamber of Commerce; Discovery Counseling Center; Johnson Chiropratic Group, Inc.; Mothers With a Purpose; San Ramon Chamber of Comnerce; Soroptimist International of San Ramon Valley and Pleasanton/Dublin; Teen Esteem; Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center

Learn more about prescription drug abuse and how you can get involved in NCAPDA's awareness efforts at http://www.ncapda.org.  Join us on Facebook at NCAPDA