Community Forum: Thoughts on Safe Injection Sites in a Burgeoning Opioid Epidemic (recap below)

May 9, 2022

“Thoughts on Safe Injection Sites in a Burgeoning Opioid Epidemic”

As our country continues to grapple with the surging number of overdose deaths across our country, now topping 100,000 in the past year alone, the Root Center for Advanced Recovery is looking to open up discussions on how to better to serve our community at large, and those who struggle with Substance Use Disorder.

Our program will be moderated by, Dr. Joseph Podolski, Root Center Chief Medical Officer, and will include many others from the area who will join to share their opinions, expertise, and insight. The panelists include, Mark Jenkins, Executive Director of the CT Harm Reduction Alliance, Dr. Steven Wolf, Former Chair of St. Francis Hospital’s ED, initiated the first Suboxone induction program in the ED in the state, Peter Canning, EMS coordinator at UCONN and author promoting safe injection sites, Alina Kahn, University of Maryland student who has written in favor of legislation around safe injection sites, Patricia Rehmer, former commissioner of Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and former President of Hartford Healthcare Behavioral Health Network, and Nicole Bell, a former New Britain clinic client.

We are opening this event up to the community to join in the conversation. We welcome all opinions, and want this to be an informative and educational discussion that can help grow the journey to recovery for the hundreds of thousands who suffer, including the more than 5,500 patients the Root Center serves on a daily basis.

———-

 

In case you missed it, our Advanced Recovery Institute’s first community forum was a great success last night! ARI is a new entity of the Root Center that is committed to research and training to elevate clinical care. The forum’s topic was on Safe Injection Sites, and we thank our panelists, and also State Senator Saud Anwar, for attending and sparking such an important conversation that we hope will lead to helping more people in the future. Change starts with having a conversation. If you’d like to watch the forum, click here.

 

Recent Posts

Supporting Our Nonprofit Community This Fall

October 26, 2026
Supporting Our Nonprofit Community This Fall This fall, Root Center for Advanced Recovery has been proud to support and celebrate nonprofit organizations across Connecticut whose work strengthens the communities we share. From recovery support and behavioral healthcare to whole-person care and community-based services, nonprofits are making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families every day. This season, Root Center had the opportunity to join two of those organizations - SCADD and InterCommunity - in celebrating their missions, impact, and continued commitment to the people they serve.

Root Center Celebrates Fall at Lake Compounce

October 22, 2026
This October, Root Center for Advanced Recovery employees and their families came together at Lake Compounce for a day of fall fun during Phantom Fall Fest . With daytime Halloween activities, rides, fall treats, and festive entertainment throughout the park, the event offered something for attendees of all ages and gave families a chance to enjoy the season together. More than anything, the day was an opportunity to connect beyond the workplace. Events like these create space for coworkers to get to know one another in new ways, meet the people who are important in each other's lives, and share experiences that help strengthen the sense of community across Root Center. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this fall celebration so memorable. Events like these remind us of the importance of coming together, connecting with colleagues, and celebrating the people who make Root Center such a special place. Above all, we're grateful to our dedicated employees, whose compassion, commitment, and hard work make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and the communities we serve every day. If you're interested in exploring opportunities at Root, visit our careers page .

Save the Date: Rooted in Giving Golf Classic Returns in 2027

October 16, 2026
Root Center for Advanced Recovery is excited to return to Lyman Orchards Golf Club on Thursday, September 23, 2027 , for the Rooted in Giving Golf Classic , bringing community partners, local businesses, and supporters together for another day of golf with a purpose. Following the success of this year's tournament, we're already looking ahead to another opportunity to connect on the course while creating an impact throughout the communities we serve. In 2027, proceeds from the tournament will support the Root Center Giving Fund , an initiative dedicated to giving back to nonprofit organizations and community partners whose work strengthens communities across Connecticut. At Root Center, we know meaningful change doesn't happen through the work of one organization alone. Through the Root Center Giving Fund, we're proud to support community partners including Prudence Crandall Center , Connecticut Foodshare , Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) , St. Vincent de Paul Middletown , Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SCADD) , and InterCommunity . Dollars raised at the Rooted in Giving Golf Classic will help us continue supporting organizations doing meaningful work throughout the state. Together, we're proud to be Putting Fore Nonprofits and extending the impact of the tournament far beyond the golf course. Save the Date Date: Thursday, September 23, 2027 Location: Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield, CT Additional details, including registration information, sponsorship opportunities, tournament schedule, and more, will be announced as we get closer to the event. For the latest tournament information and updates, visit our Rooted in Giving Golf Classic event page . We look forward to welcoming golfers, sponsors, community partners, and supporters back to Lyman Orchards for another memorable day of connection, community, and giving.
Show More