Chief Joseph O’Connor
219 Walden Street
P.O. Box 519
Concord, MA 01742
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Concord Police to Participate in Screening of Film About Youth Prescription Drug Abuse
CONCORD – Chief Joseph O’Connor is pleased to announce that, as part of the Central Middlesex Police Partnership, the Concord Police Department, along with Concord Carlisle Regional High School (CCHS), Concord Carlisle Youth Services and the Center for Parents and Teachers, will be hosting a community viewing of the film “If Only” next month.
The free film screening will take place on Nov. 1 at the CCHS auditorium from 7-8:30 p.m. The short film, co-written and produced by James Wahlberg, was created to initiate a meaningful dialogue between parents and children, and within communities, about prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction.
Students at CCHS will view the film in school the following day, on Nov. 2, and hear from Mike Duggan, founder of Wicked Sober, LLC.
“This film addresses one of the most serious health issues facing our society today. Addiction touches every culture, every family, and ultimately every one of us,” Wahlberg said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to create a project that informs, educates and leads viewers to recognize the warning signs of opioid use and to participate in a solution.”
The Nov. 1 screening is open to the community, and supportive resources will be available during the event. An accompanying display of Hidden in Plain Sight, which invites adult attendees to explore and interact with a display designed to resemble a teenager’s bedroom, will also be available. Throughout the exhibit are items that may indicate if a teen is involved in high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, underage drinking and more.
“Our community is not immune to the current opioid epidemic,” Chief O’Connor said. “I hope that everyone will consider coming out for this film screening in a supportive environment — it’s one you don’t want to miss.”
Audience members are invited to stay after the film and hear from Dr. Brian O’Connor of Middlesex Recovery, Chief O’Connor, Carlisle resident Melissa Weiksnar and CCHS staff.
For more information about the film, including a trailer, visit www.IfOnlyMovie.org. For information regarding the Nov. 1 community viewing, please contact Jennifer Clarke, Concord Carlisle Youth Services at 978-318-3043 or jclarke@concordma.gov.
The film was made possible in part by Millennium Health, Recovery Centers of America and The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation.
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