In this special edition of Connections, we address the opioid epidemic in New York State. The conversation took place in front of a live studio audience at the WXXI studios.
In the first hour, local individuals living in recovery share their journeys of hope and the challenges they've faced battling addiction. Our guests: Brandon Scott, living in recovery for one year; Yana Khasper, co-founder of ROCovery Fitness, who is living in recovery; and Sean Smith, co-founder of ROCovery Fitness, who is living in recovery.
In the second hour, local leaders in health care and law enforcement provide an update on the state of the crisis in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Our guests: Dr. Michael Mendoza, M.D., Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health; Jennifer Faringer, director of DePaul's National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Rochester Area; Todd Baxter, Monroe County Sheriff.