Conroy recognized for substance abuse prevention work

State Rep. Theresa Conroy, left, and Pamela A. Mautte, Director, Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council./Contributed photo

NEW HAVEN - State Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) was recognized recently by the Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council at its 2015 Community Champion Awards ceremony.

Pamela A. Mautte, Director, Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council, said, “Theresa has worked on several substance abuse prevention and intervention initiatives over the past several years. It was my pleasure working side by side with Theresa this past year on opiate issues, banning powdered alcohol and other prevention issues.”

Conroy has been a strong advocate for many prevention issues. She was instrumental in the passage of legislation that improves the monitoring and reporting of narcotic prescriptions and increases access to life-saving opioid antagonists. 

Naloxone, or Narcan, is an opioid antagonist that works to reverse the effects of opioids.

Between 2009-2014, there were more than 2,000 accidental and unintentional opioid involved deaths that occurred in 150 of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns. 

“I want to thank the Valley Substance Abuse Action Council for their incredible work and advocacy,” Conroy said. “They are true champions of prevention.”

This is a press release from Conroy's office.