Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni will address the area’s heroin epidemic tonight, November 18, during a presentation at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School entitled “It’s Time to Talk.”
Press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School
According to local law enforcement officials, “It’s Time to Talk” about the alarming rise in heroin-related deaths in Monmouth County.
The general public is invited to participate in a conversation with Acting Monmouth County prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, inside the auditorium at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School tonight, November 18.
RFH is sponsoring the 7 pm event, along with Red Bank Regional High School and the elementary school districts of Fair Haven, Little Silver, and Shrewsbury.
Mr. Gramiccioni asserts that area residents can no longer afford to say “not in my town” when addressing the spike in heroin use. He reports that heroin is being used by students as young as twelve years old, and that all children in the local area are at risk.
“In order to ensure the health and well-being of our children, the adults entrusted with their care need to have difficult discussions with them throughout their lives,” said Dr. Suzanne Fico, Student Assistance Counselor at RFH. “These conversations need to occur prior to destructive decision-making, and statistics are showing us that sadly at least one of them needs to be about heroin.”
There have been more than 37 deaths related to an overdose of heroin in Monmouth County so far this year. In 2012, there were 70 heroin-related deaths. The problem has been labeled an “epidemic.”
All residents, especially parents of area students, are encouraged to attend this special presentation.