America's
Opioid Crisis
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency because of the widespread misuse of and addiction to opioids, including prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.
The previous year, HHS reported that 42,249 people died from overdosing on opioids and the opioid epidemic had cost the country $504 billion, including the costs of health care, lost productivity, addiction treatment and criminal justice involvement. Without question, this is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.
Through this year's Tech Talks series, we want to expose participants to the causes, effects and realities of the opioid epidemic. From it, perhaps bad choices will be prevented, lives will be turned around or solutions to this problem will be born.
Event Schedule
7 P.M.
Multi-Flex Theater
Snyder Academic Center
Through motivational speaking and professional spoken word, Joseph Green speaks candidly about his personal battles with substance use to show people the power they have to effect change in themselves and in their community. His speaking and poetry events help those from students to older professionals explore universal themes of self-reflection and personal experience.
7 P.M.
Magee-O’Connor Theater
Andorfer Commons
Drug addiction often involves stages—active addiction, recovery, and relapse; this film provides insight into them all. Julia Roberts stars in this 2018 drama about the effects of drug addiction upon a family. Come for the film and stay for the discussion.
7:00 P.M.
Multi-Flex Theater
Snyder Academic Center
Canadian sportscaster and Detroit Red Wings play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels will share his personal story of the loss of his 23-year-old son, Jamie, to opioid addiction. Ken speaks about how not talking worsens the opioid epidemic. Jamie died while attending a fraudulent sober home in Florida, and Ken also covers the trend of “patient brokering.”
6-8 P.M.
Multi-Flex Theater
Snyder Academic Center
Art therapy has proven to be effective with all sorts of psychological conditions, and addiction is no exception. This immersive exhibit features art created by those in addiction recovery, as well as some candid looks into the lives of those affected by the opioid epidemic. This exhibit provides a visual and interactive tour of the effects of addiction and the powerful journey of recovery.
10 A.M. - 3 P.M.
Multi-Flex Theater
Snyder Academic Center
Art therapy has proven to be effective with all sorts of psychological conditions, and addiction is no exception. This immersive exhibit features art created by those in addiction recovery, as well as some candid looks into the lives of those affected by the opioid epidemic. This exhibit provides a visual and interactive tour of the effects of addiction and the powerful journey of recovery.
About Tech Talks...
The Tech Talks series is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Student Affairs. The purpose of the series is to promote active dialogue and awareness about important issues of social justice across the globe.
Through this series, the university hopes to:
- Foster a sense of campus community and acceptance
- Promote critical thinking about the historical and social contexts of contemporary social challenges
- Raise awareness of global issues impacting the development of a just society
- Educate students on the ways in which global issues can be addressed through a variety of professional disciplines
- Engage the campus and the greater Fort Wayne community in joint dialogue on issues of justice
- Educate students on the role of empathy with those impacted by social injustice in the promotion of a civil society