THIRD ANNUAL DRUG ABUSE SUMMIT BRINGS MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TO THE FOREFRONT
Leading organizations collaborate for a free public service event in our local community on December 9
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) Several leading area organizations are teaming up to co-host the third annual Palm Beach County Drug Abuse Summit on Tuesday, December 9. Taking place at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the Summit will explore the current state of mental health and drug abuse in the local community. The free discussion is open to the public, thanks to co-hosts Hanley Center Foundation, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation. Beginning at 9 a.m., the half-day discussion includes prominent members of the healthcare and law enforcement communities, scientists, elected officials, educators and other community leaders.
“The Palm Beach County Drug Abuse Summit’s mission is to effectively inform and educate the local community about the impact of mental health and substance abuse within our communities locally, regionally and nationally,” said Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO of Hanley Center Foundation. “We are grateful to our co-hosts and the esteemed panel participants, who recognize the importance of collaboration to improve awareness, treatment options, community education and more in our communities.”
“We are delighted to sponsor and serve as the host location for the Drug Abuse Summit,” said Barbara Suflas Noble, Max Planck Foundation CEO. “It is our hope that this third annual event is the most successful yet, inciting a continued discussion of important issues and impactful solutions between respected organizations and members of our local community.”
The event includes three different panel topics, with several participants in each panel.
The Summit’s first panel, Drug Abuse & Mental Illness – Overcoming the Stigma, includes: Stephen R. Alexander, Psy.D., Clinical and Forensic Psychologist; Todd Bonlarron, Palm Beach County Legislative Affairs; John Dyben, Hanley Center; Karen Flannery, M.D., Good Samaritan Medical Center; Michael E. Gauger, M.S.W., Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; and Joyce Sang, The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation.
The second panel, The Pervasiveness of Co-occuring Disorders, includes: Marcia Andrews, Palm Beach County School Board, District 6; Lori Berman, Esq., Florida House of Representatives, District 90; Rolando Garcia, Esq., United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida; Daniel Gibson, M.S.W., The Lord’s Place; and Richard Paley, M.D., St. Mary’s Medical Center.
The final panel, Legislative Initiatives, Community Education, Awareness and Outreach, includes: M. McLean Bolton, Ph.D., Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience; Liz Downey, National Alliance on Mental Illness for Palm Beach County; Diane Huff, 211 Helpline, Palm Beach/Treasure Coast; Dave Kerner, Esq., Florida House of Representatives, District 87; Eduardo I. Pena, M.D., West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and Dusty Sang, The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation.
Sponsors include: Presenting Sponsor Florida Power & Light Company and Corporate Sponsor Origins Recovery Centers.
The Palm Beach County Drug Abuse Summit is presented as a free public service. A complimentary light breakfast will be served and reservations are required. For more information, or to RSVP, please visit: www.hanleycenterfoundation.org/summit or call: 561-625-6641.