A community forum about opiates and addiction in the Martha’s Vineyard community will take place on Monday, June 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.

The forum was organized by a coalition of community members and professionals in response to the growing need for a community-wide response to the issue, and will address what is happening, what has been learned, and what action can be taken.

The forum will feature a panel of experts and members of the recovery community, and topics of discussion include understanding the disease of addiction, a presentation from members of the resource community, available resources and data on Martha’s Vineyard, forming a community coalition, and a question and answer session. There will be handouts and information with a comprehensive list of formal and informal support available on the Island.

The forum is sponsored by all six Island police departments, the Island boards of health, Break the Silence, the Dukes County Commission, Dukes County Health Council, Dukes County Sheriff’s Department, Dukes County Substance Abuse Committee, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Martha’s Vineyard Regional School District, members of the recovery community, the Cape and Islands district attorney’s office, the Island Clergy Association, Vineyard House, the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, and the Youth Task Force.

For more information contact Mary Korba at Community Services at 508-693-7900, extension 222.