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Community Corner

Judge Michael Astrab to hold heroin forum in Brooklyn

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael Astrab has seen too many heroin cases in his courtroom. “Make no mistake, it’s an epidemic,” Astrab said. “I can do what I can as a judge from the bench, but by the time a user gets to my courtroom, it’s often too late. As a community, we need to do more to prevent people from using heroin in the first place.” 

During the 2013-14 school year, Astrab will host a series of “Heroin in the Suburbs” forums. A town hall for Brooklyn will take place on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 PM at the Brooklyn Public Library (4480 Ridge Road).

Astrab’s goal is to help raise awareness of the heroin epidemic, and inform parents how to keep their families safe.

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“This is an epidemic. For anyone to suggest otherwise,” Astrab said, “is naive.”

According to the medical examiner, heroin killed approximately 200 people in Cuyahoga County in 2013, including two in Maple Heights. The majority of those deaths were in the suburbs.  Heroin took more lives in 2013 than homicides or car accidents.

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Scheduled expert panelists include Emily Metz from Project DAWN, drug counselor Robert Garrity, Cindy Koumoutzis from The Addict's Mom, Assistant County Prosecutor Nicole Ellis and Dr. Stephen Sroka from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Aaron Marks will also address the forum.  A Beachwood resident, Marks was once addicted to heroin, but has been clean and sober for over ten years.

“Everyone involved in these forums has one goal – prevent at least one person from being hurt by heroin,” Astrab said. “If we can do that, this effort will absolutely be worth it.”

All Brooklyn residents – especially parents and students – are encouraged to attend.

Astrab has held previous forums in Solon, Westlake, Broadview Heights, Parma, Strongsville, Bay Village, Beachwood, North Olmsted, Mayfield, Garfield Heights, East Cleveland and the City Club of Cleveland. 

At a recent forum, Dr. Sroka said everyone has the power to make a difference.  “Denial is huge.  You can’t say ‘It’s not in my community’ anymore.  You should be prepared.  There’s not a person here this can’t happen to.”

For more information, follow Judge Astrab on Twitter @judgeastrab. To RSVP to attend the forum on Facebook, search for “Brooklyn: Heroin in the Suburbs.”

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