Massachusetts Leaders Discuss Opioid Crisis

BOSTON – On Monday, October 26, 2015, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate will host a panel discussion on bipartisan efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts. The panel discussion, moderated by WBZ-TV’s Jon Keller, will feature four Massachusetts leaders; Governor Charlie Baker, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. This conversation is the second event of the EMK Institute’s Across the Aisle series, bringing together government leaders from different political parties who are collaborating on a common cause.

Additionally, the event will mark the start of November’s Issue of The Day at the Institute. Each month the Institute’s exhibits change to reflect a different civic issue that visitors will learn about during their visit. In November, the Institute is focusing on legislative solutions to the opioid epidemic. This Today’s Vote program will provide visitors with the background details and arguments in favor of and against Bill S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015, which is currently pending in the Senate. Visitors then have the opportunity to cast their vote for a bill inspired by the real legislation in the EMK Institute’s full-scale reproduction of the U.S. Senate Chamber.

WHO: Moderator: Jon Keller, WBZ-TV Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders

WHAT: A bipartisan panel discussion on combating the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts as part of the EMK Institute’s Across the Aisle programming series.

WHEN: Monday, October 26, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Columbia Point – Boston, MA 02125

This event is OPEN PRESS

RSVP to press@emkinstitute.org

About Across the Aisle: This series will bring together government leaders with disparate ideologies and from different political parties who are collaborating on a common cause. In a moderated discussion, Across the Aisle will highlight the type of civil discourse, negotiation, collaboration, and leadership that leads to solutions for pressing problems. Held quarterly, the series will feature Members of Congress, governors, mayors, and other elected officials and both national and local issues.

About The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities. The Institute will be a dynamic center of learning and engagement that uses innovative technology to provide each visitor with an information-rich, personalized experience that will bring important historical and current debates to life. To learn more about the EMK Institute, please visit EMKInstitute.org.