MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2018

Contact: Deborah Chambers
Senior Director of Strategic
Partnerships and Community Outreach

Cell: 202-534-9965
dchambers@missiondc.org

Cheap Synthetic Drugs Killing the Vulnerable 

Immediate Help Offered to People
Experiencing Homelessness   

WHAT:    Central Union Mission is sponsoring a synthetic drug information and resource session.

Douglas K. Klein, assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia, and his team will be available to answer questions about the deadly effects of K2, Spice and other synthetic drugs. These same drugs that caused 300 overdoses in DC during July and are blamed for more than 100 overdoses in New Haven, CT, last week as the menace continues. Additional resources and assessments available at this session will be provided by: Metropolitan Police Department of DC, DC  Department of Behavioral Health (APRA), MBI Health Services and Dr. George Larry Wheeler of Circles of Hope Psychotherapy & Addictions Services.

WHEN:    Tuesday, August 28, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

WHERE: Central Union Mission shelter (65 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC  20001)

WHY: According to Central Union Mission Executive Director Joe Mettimano, “We have been warning about synthetic drugs for three years now, but this year’s crop is even more dangerous. With K2, there’s no such thing as quality control. Toxic chemicals used to make this drug are potentially deadly, as recent high numbers of overdoses attest. This resource session will help spread the word on the street that this cheap high can cost you your life.”

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

• Douglas K. Klein, assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia
• Joseph J. Mettimano, executive director, Central Union Mission
• Homeless residents and Mission program participants recovering from drug abuse
• Community helpers and agencies

Media are invited. To attend, please contact Deborah Chambers, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Outreach, at 202-534-9965 or dchambers@missiondc.org.

Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with its homeless shelter located at 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC  20001. In addition to its emergency shelter, the Mission operates Ready2Succeed rehabilitative and job training programs for men, a clothing and furniture distribution center, a retreat and recreation center with a camp for underprivileged children and a ministry to families and senior citizens.

GuideStar awarded Central Union Mission a 2018 Gold Seal for our financial transparency and GreatNonProfits has given Central Union Mission a 2018 Top-Rated award.