GARDINER — To consider how to combat the opiate addiction problem in Gardiner, community organizations have scheduled a community forum for Thursday.

“Opiates in Gardiner, Time for Action — Together We Can Make a Difference” will focus on what Gardiner residents can do to address opiate abuse.

“It is promising that many community members are interested in what can be done to address the impact of opiates in our communities,” Joanne Joy, executive director of Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, said in a news release. “There are many resources in our communities, but community members don’t always know how they can help.”

The forum is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Gardiner Middle School Cafeteria at 161 Cobbossee Ave. Resource tables will open at 5:30 p.m. It is expected to provide more information that people can act on in areas of prevention, public safety treatment, recovery and community supports.

In November, a forum on drug use in Gardiner resulted in community residents wanting to know what action they could take to make Gardiner safer.

Joy said this meeting will highlight resources and help members identify what can be done individually and as a community.

Members of Youth in Recovery are expected to be on hand to speak.

A planning team including the Rotary Club of Gardiner, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, School Administrative District 11 and the Gardiner Police and Fire departments put together the meeting. Staff members from the Boys and Girls Club and volunteers will provide child care at the middle school.

In the event of a weather-related cancellation, the event will be held at the same time Monday, Jan. 25, at the Gardiner Area High School cafeteria, at 40 West Hill Road.

Jessica Lowell — 621-5632

jlowell@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @JLowellKJ

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