Sevierville, TENN – On June 19th, 2018, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Sevier County residents are moving forward with the next step to combat the national crisis that has taken hold of local families and is impacting local businesses. Opioid abuse is an epidemic in the U.S. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, as well as legal prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and others.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sevierville Civic Center, a panel discussion with area experts will focus on many facets of the program including Emergency Medicine, Impact on our School System, Business Interests, Court Systems, Recovery/Rehabilitation; the emotional and financial impact on families; the short and long-term effect of NAS babies born in Sevier County; and the overall impact to businesses and quality of life in the Sevier County community.

Speakers at the forum include:

• Mr. Andrew Whaley, Assistant EMS Director, Sevier County Ambulance Service
• Mrs. Leia Loveday, Sevier County Sheriff’s Office
• Dr. Charise Johns, PCP Emergency Medicine
• Dr. Steve Madison, DMD
• Mr. Don Best, Coordinator Of Health Services, Sevier County Schools
• Students Kameron Ogle and Wyatt Smith
• Ms. Kameron Ogle, SADD
• Mr. Wyatt Smith, SADD
• Officer Bill Miller, SRO – Sevier County Sheriff’s Office
• Mr. Allen Newton, Director, Sevier County Economic Development
• Mr. Mark Adams, President/CEO, Gatlinburg Chamber Of Commerce
• Mr. Leon Downey, Executive Director, Pigeon Forge Department Of Tourism
• Ms. Brenda McCroskey, CEO, Sevierville Chamber Of Commerce
• Judge Jeff Rader, Sevier County General Sessions Court
• Nicole Ogle, Executive Director, Sevier County C.A.R.E.S.

The panel discussion is sponsored by Leadership Sevier and the City of Sevierville and Sevier County CARES. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

What: Public forum on opioid abuse and its impact to the Sevier County area.

When: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sevierville Civic Center, 200 Gary Wade Boulevard, Sevierville, Tennessee 37862

Why: Opioid abuse is an epidemic in the U.S. that has made its way to Sevier County and is negatively affecting the community as a whole.

To register, RSVP to: JoAnn@leadershipsevier.com by June 18, 2018

Media should RSVP to: ellen@leadershipsevier.com