Morris Prosecutor: Opioid Forum for Students at Morris County School of Technology

Published on February 27, 2018

Morris County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury spoke on Monday afternoon at the Morris County School of Technology in Denville to educate the health care science juniors on the ongoing opioid and heroin epidemic in New Jersey.

(JPG, 3MB) Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury addresses juniors at MCST

The students are studying to become active members of the health care industry. The attending students take college level health courses and are the next generation of doctors, nurses, and physical therapists, the majority of whom will have access to opioids, as well as the power to prescribe these drugs.

Accordingly, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seabury were eager to conduct this presentation at the request of one of the healthcare science faculty.

Seabury's presentation covered multiple aspects of the opioid epidemic, including how it impacts the community, what law enforcement is doing to combat the crisis, and the success of the current educational, enforcement, and treatment programs in Morris County, which is a Stigma Free county.(PNG, 12KB)

He explained how the Prosecutor's Office works with local agencies, such as the Morris County Sheriff's Office and Morris Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success (CARES), to battle the current epidemic.

Even though the most residents are aware of the opiod epidemic, there is a general lack of knowledge about how street opiates have changed over the years.

Seabury provided a basic understanding of pharmaceutical opioid drug abuse, how this problem can lead to addiction, how heroin is used, distributed, and priced in Morris County, as well as how Fentanyl has become a major killer of illicit drug users.

Many of the students expressed interest in learning more about how they can help make an impact on the opioid and heroin epidemic in their future careers.

Providing educational programs to students about to enter the healthcare profession can be a critical component in fighting the current heroin and opioid epidemic,'' said Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp. "We are grateful to the Morris County School of Technology for inviting us to speak to these future health doctors, nurses, and physical therapists.

Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.