Issues & Ales: Heroin in Alabama
Deaths from heroin overdose have increased dramatically in Alabama, doubling in Jefferson County alone last year. Heroin is cheaper than ever, and more and more people who are addicted to prescription painkillers are making the switch, tearing families and communities apart. Why is heroin usage on the rise and what can law enforcement, public health officials, families, parents, and teachers do to combat the growing epidemic?
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM will explore this topic through a five-part series, and at “Issues & Ales: Heroin in Alabama” on Tuesday, March 24, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at WorkPlay, 500 23rd St. South, Birmingham.
Panelists include:
-Joyce White Vance, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama
-Dr. Mark Wilson, Health Officer & Chief Executive, Jefferson County Department of Health
-Elizabeth P. Drennen, Director of Clinical Outreach and Communications, Addiction Prevention Coalition
-Foster Cook, Associate Professor and Director of UAB Substance Abuse Programs, Jefferson County Community Corrections Program (TASC)
-Dr. Karen Cropsey, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, UAB
and more…
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. The event is free, and food and beverages will be available for purchase from Greg’s Hot Dogs and WorkPlay. Issues & Ales is part of the outreach effort of Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, the station where you can listen and be heard.
For event updates, follow WBHM on Facebook and join the event or check the event page at WBHM’s website.
This event will be streamed live at wbhm.org.
Gulf States rank at the bottom for climate-adapted housing. Organizers want to change that.
As natural disasters and extreme weather become more frequent in the Gulf South, a new report hopes to be a road map to providing more climate-adapted housing.
How Dr. Emily Fortney is using her clinical psychology work to help pregnant people
Suicide is a leading cause of death in women, and mood and anxiety disorders make perinatal risks more complicated. Dr. Fortney’s work is focused on this issue.
Regions Bank to refund $141M for illegal overdraft fees
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that between 2018 and 2021, Regions was charging overdraft fees on some ATM withdrawals as well as some debit card purchases, even after the bank told the customers they had enough funds to cover the transactions.
Jackson’s water crisis put new attention on its longstanding lead contamination issue
Jackson’s water issues echo infrastructure struggles across the Gulf South, resulting in nearly 1,800 lawsuits over the past year and attention from the EPA.
Birmingham councilors allege promises broken but city still renews Via contract
Under the contract, the city will pay the Via ridesharing service up to $2.64 million per year to provide transit services.
Alabama prisoners refusing to work in 2nd day of protest
Prisoners including those who provide food, laundry and janitorial services refused to show up for work at major state prisons, leaving staff scrambling to keep the facilities running.
