April 18, 2019 - Middle school and high school students, and their parents/guardians, are invited to attend a free opioid crisis seminar, “Say No to O’s.” The seminar will take place Friday, April 26, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Indiana Tech Andorfer Commons, 1600 E. Washington Blvd. Registration will begin at 6:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Mayor Tom Henry’s Youth Engagement Council is leading the event. Sponsors include the Fort Wayne Police Department, Bowen Center, Indiana Tech, Allen County Department of Health, and Reilley Trucking Inc.

Students will hear from experts on the front lines who are combating the opioid crisis in Fort Wayne and Allen County, including Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan and Fort Wayne Police Department Captain Kevin Hunter. Additional speakers will include a young adult who lost her mother to an overdose recently, and a seventeen year old who just completed a year of drug rehab. Students will be offered an opportunity to ask questions during a panel discussion. The intent of the seminar is to provide a safe, welcoming atmosphere for youth to learn how the opioid crisis might impact their lives, how to get help for themselves and loved ones, and how to avoid becoming another victim of this nation-wide tragedy.

“We need to do everything we can as a community to help our youth understand the magnitude of the opioid crisis to keep them from becoming victims, and to give them the right education and resources to help their loved ones, if needed,” said Mayor Henry. “I appreciate the leadership of my youth engagement council to organize a seminar to address the opioid crisis in a manner that kids their age can relate to.”

For more information, contact Karen L. Richards, Mayor's office, (260) 427-2146 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..