Community members, experts and local leaders will gather Tuesday night at a town hall meeting in Wheaton to talk about new initiatives aimed at addressing addiction, violence and mental health issues affecting adolescents and young adults in Montgomery County.
The meeting, “Supporting Youth in Crisis,” is sponsored by the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee and will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Library and Recreation Center at 11701 Georgia Ave., according to a county press release.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is expected to join the town hall and speak about the county’s progress in addressing youth substance abuse and the next steps it plans to take.
“Addressing youth violence, substance use and mental health is a top priority for me and for all of county government,” Elrich said in the release. “I understand the desperation families feel when their children are in need, and we recognize there is much more work to be done.”
At the town hall, attendees also will hear from mental health professionals and community leaders and engage in an open dialogue during a question-and-answer session, according to the release. Information booths with resources on mental health services, youth services, outreach services and harm reduction and prevention also will be available.
Identity Inc., a Gaithersburg community organization focused on supporting the county’s Latino youth, will provide an update on its pilot initiative with the county, according to the release. The initiative combines “direct street outreach with holistic family services” that aim to guide youths suffering from substance abuse to treatment, the release said.
Other speakers expected at the event are Montgomery County Health Officer Kisha Davis; Steve Neff, director of pupil personnel and attendance services for Montgomery County Public Schools; and Nora Morales, a program director at Identity.
In addition, dinner and child care will be provided, the release said.
Registration for the event is recommended and can be completed at this link.