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Louisiana Supreme Court Families In Need of Services Assistance Program Releases Opioid Crisis Documentary
<div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:100%;background-color:#428bca;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td bgcolor="#428bca" height="21" valign="middle" width="100%"><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">2024 Press Releases</span></strong> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><table width="16%" style="width:1112px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></div><table style="width:100%;text-align:center;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="82" style="text-align:left;width:71px;">CONTACT: </td><td width="253" style="text-align:left;width:1039px;">Trina S. Vincent<br />504-310-2590 </td></tr></tbody></table><div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:100%;border-spacing:3px;background-color:#f7ebc6;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="38%" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:#212073;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>October 22, 2024</strong></span> </td><td width="62%"><p align="right"><span style="color:#212073;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></span> </p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong></strong> </p><p style="text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT FAMILIES IN NEED OF SERVICES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RELEASES OPIOID CRISIS DOCUMENTARY</strong></p><p><strong>New Orleans, LA</strong> – The Louisiana Supreme Court Families in Need of Services Assistance Program (FINS-AP) has developed a documentary designed to shine a light on the opioid crisis in Louisiana with the hope of bringing greater awareness to the epidemic that is impacting so many lives across our state.
</p><p>The <a href="/Children_Families?p=The_Opioid_Crisis_Documentary">Opioid Crisis Documentary</a> is being released in October, which is National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and Substance Misuse Prevention Month. Those featured in the documentary include a cross-section of people who observe firsthand the impact of the crisis including medical professionals such as Netflix’s “The Pharmacist” Dr. Dan Schneider, former St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Charles Preston, and officials from the Louisiana Department of Health; FINS officers; law enforcement; and family members who have lost loved ones due to the opioid crisis, including Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer.</p><p>During his interview, Chief Justice Weimer remarked, “The Opioid Crisis is a major crisis in Louisiana and throughout most of the country. So many people had prescription drugs prescribed to them by a doctor and yet abused those drugs. It is not limited to just one group of people, but all people throughout the community must be made aware of this problem that has caused too many to die or become severely addicted. We must address this problem to make our communities safer.”</p><p>The documentary, which is publicly available via the website of the Louisiana Supreme Court, is an informative resource tool for partners, stakeholders, and individuals who live and work with those impacted by the opioid crisis. It was produced to raise awareness about the dangers of current national and statewide opioid misuse with an emphasis on fentanyl, to create an understanding of the risk factors and underlying issues that lead to opioid misuse, and to generate a plan for hope and healing. </p><p>FINS-AP designed the documentary to be available for viewing in courtroom lobbies, during drug court sessions, clinical appointments, FINS conferences, and detention centers, as well as shared with community groups. </p><p>The goal of the documentary is to educate, provide resources, and inspire action to address the opioid crisis, specifically stressing the dangers of fentanyl misuse, which is currently wreaking havoc on the lives of citizens throughout our communities. It highlights the human aspect of the crisis, which has negatively permeated communities by crossing all socioeconomic, racial, and gender-based boundaries. The opioid crisis has left those addicted and their families to suffer. This epidemic has also presented monumental challenges for healthcare providers. The video additionally provides information on various solutions, including resources available to teachers and students on all levels, parents, social workers, law enforcement, and other community agencies, as well as information on services for successful recovery.</p><p>The documentary was produced in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Health with the prevailing goal of helping the people of Louisiana by inspiring individuals to join the fight against this epidemic and save lives. FINS-AP wants to leave the viewer with the message that there is help and hope for those who are suffering.</p><p><a href="/Children_Families?p=The_Opioid_Crisis_Documentary">See the Opioid Crisis Documentary here</a>.</p><p><em><strong>Louisiana Supreme Court Mission:</strong> To preserve the integrity of the judiciary, to build and maintain public trust, to provide effective and efficient administration of justice in the Supreme Court, to ensure proper administration and performance of all courts under Supreme Court authority, and to ensure the highest professional conduct, integrity, and competence of the bench and bar.</em></p><p><strong>For more information visit </strong><strong><a href="/Children_Families?p=FINS">Louisiana Supreme Court FINS_AP</a></strong><strong> or contact Louisiana Supreme Court Public Information Specialist/Coordinator Trina S. Vincent at <a href="mailto:tvincent@lasc.org">tvincent@lasc.org</a> or (504) 310-2590.</strong> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>-30-</strong></p><p> </p>