The City of Santa Clarita will host the Pills Kill: Prescription to Addiction Symposium on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Activities Center located at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway.

Prescription drug abuse has become a national epidemic claiming more lives than heroin and cocaine combined, and it continues to affect families in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Known as the “silent killer,” these potent capsules are extremely dangerous and can easily cause addiction when misused or taken inappropriately.

“Prescription pill abuse is becoming more prevalent and has destroyed far too many of our Santa Clarita families,” stated Mayor Laurene Weste.  “As a City, we believe the most effective tools we can use in the war on drugs are to provide information to our youth and parents in order to prevent drug abuse and keep families safe from the results of drug abuse and the devastation it causes.”

The Symposium will take a proactive approach in addressing important drug issues among young people by providing attendees with the tools needed to identify signs of abuse and prevention.   A panel of experts will be on hand, including officials from law enforcement, the Hart District, and emergency room physician and a pharmacist.   Prior to the Symposium will be a Resource Expo with additional information, including addiction and recovery experts.

The Pills Kill: Prescription to Addiction Symposium is the fourth in in the Heroin Kills series, and is free and open to the public.  A live Spanish translation will also be available for bilingual attendees.

To learn more, please contact Janine Prado at (661) 250-3708.  For more information regarding heroin and prescription drugs in Santa Clarita, visit HeroinKills.org or check out the Heroin Kills Facebook page at FB.com/HeroinKillsSCV.