– Photo by Lynn Monson
A panel discussion and the screening of a documentary film were among the highlights of a symposium recently held on WMU-Cooley Law School’s Auburn Hills campus. Panelists included (left to right) Erica Clute-Cubbin, southeast Oakland region president for the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities/Families Against Narcotics; WMU-Cooley Professor Lauren Rousseau; 51st District Court Judge Jodi Debbrecht Switalski, co-founder of the Regional Anti-Drug Education and Outreach organization; and the Hon. John Gilbreath, hearings bureau judge for the city of Lansing and retired administrative law judge for the state of Michigan.
WMU-Cooley Law School’s Auburn Hills campus recently hosted the symposium, “Silence Equals Death: How the Heroin Epidemic is Driving Change in Perception, Treatment, & the Law.”
The program explored the new recovery advocacy movement, how the heroin epidemic is fueling its growth and effectiveness along with the resulting changes in public perception, policy and the law.
The symposium featured a screening of the documentary film, The Anonymous People, followed by a panel discussion moderated by WMU-Cooley Professor Lauren Rousseau.
Panelists discussed how changes in perception regarding addiction have increased demands for public and legislative policy to recognize addiction as a disease and to ensure treatment availability.
“Audience response to this event was amazing and far exceeded my expectations,” said Rousseau. “I was concerned that the event — scheduled for three hours — was too long, but participants were engaged and kept asking questions for a half hour.”
The event was well attended by nearly 150 individuals, including law students, legal professionals, college students, addiction treatment professionals and advocates, those who have lost children, family and friends to the diseaseas well as individuals in recovery from addiction.
Following the symposium, Lisa Sellinger, an attendee, praised Rousseau for coordinating the event.
“Thank you for speaking up, for doing what many are afraid or unable to do and for inviting the public to this timely and important presentation,” she said. “It was inspiring, informative and extremely helpful.”
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