Local leaders gear up for Opioid Summit in Columbia

Local, regional and state leaders are coming together on Wednesday for an opioid summit in Columbia.

The Missouri Opioid Summit is part of a series of local meetings being held to help figure out how to curb the crisis.

A few of the people scheduled to speak at the event include members from the Department of Health and Senior Services, Mayor Brian Treece, first responders and those directly affected by the epidemic.

Boone County Commissioner Janet Thompson told ABC 17 News these summits are held for people who need help, whether it’s someone who overdosed or someone who wants more information about how they can help fight the epidemic.

“We can’t lay the opioid crisis just at the feet of law enforcement. We can’t lay it just at the feet of physicians. It has to be everyone together working to come up with a response that makes some sense,” said Thompson.

The summit is being held at the Courtyard by Marriott on Lemone Industrial Boulevard. It starts at 9 a.m. and is set to finish at 1 p.m.

ABC 17 News plans to livestream the summit online Wednesday.