Calais: Addiction focus of summit workshop

"What is Addiction" is the focus of a five-hour summit workshop on Wednesday, May 14, at Washington County Community College.

The workshop starts at 4 p.m. and will be held in the assembly room at the college.

The Washington County Drug Action Team based out of Machias is the sponsor of the event. The team is composed of several groups including Neighbors Against Drug Abuse and the Weed and Seed program in Calais.

The public is invited, along with members of the area medical group.

Among the presenters will be Michael Edwards, director of research and evaluation at Healthways-Regional Medical Center at Lubec. Edwards will open the workshop with a talk on addiction and the brain.

Psychologist Marjorie Withers, who serves as chairwoman of Community Caring Collaborative, a Washington County-based system of services for at-risk infants, developmentally delayed infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents, will focus on the generational heritage of addiction.

Dr. Marc Kaplan, who understands the effects of medicines applicable to alleviate the need for drug addiction, will talk about medical issues of addictions.

Washington County Sheriff Donald Smith will talk not only about addiction problems related to people who are in jail, but also about the impact of addictions throughout Washington County.

Denise Altvater, who is chairwoman of the Criminal Justice Commission at Pleasant Point, will talk about her knowledge and experience with families directly involved with addiction issues. Her talk is titled "The Social Effects of Addiction."

Mary Ann Ogonowski, a certified social worker who is a case manager with the Women's Project of the Department of Health and Human Services, will talk about "Addiction Issues That Face and Matter to Case Managers."

Each presentation will be followed by a brief question-and-answer session. "The presenters are well-qualified experts within our county who serve our communities and their residents," the group said in a prepared release. "The workshop will conclude with group discussions to answer questions and begin to take steps toward a countywide community resolution."

There is no cost and dinner will be provided.