On Thursday, May 2, a public awareness forum will be held in Bogalusa to discuss the scourge of the opioid epidemic in Washington Parish.

The forum and town listening session will be from 9 a.m. until noon at the First Baptist Church, located at 541 Ave. F.

End the Epidemic Louisiana is sponsoring the forum, as well as other similar events across the state in April and May.

In 2016, End the Epidemic Louisiana began as a partnership between the Louisiana Rural Ambulance Alliance and the Attorney General’s Office and has since expanded to include the Louisiana Association for Behavioral Health in Baton Rouge, the Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District in Jonesboro and the Pafford EMS of Ruston.

End the Epidemic Louisiana’s initiative is dedicated to providing education and outreach to help alleviate issues concerning the record levels of opioid misuse in the state of Louisiana.

Through town forums and other outreach events, End the Epidemic Louisiana hopes to partner with rural communities to identify opportunities to develop and expand a detailed plan that educates patients about proper use and storage of opioids, teaches them how to recognize abuse and highlights treatment options.

For more information about the forum, visit online at www.louisianaambulancealliance.org/events.