Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse, Inc.

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PRESS RELEASE

 

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 MARCH 16, 2006

 

  CONTACT:  Curt Lavarello, Executive Director                                            941-922-SAFE [7233]

 

SEMINAR TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE CONCERNS AMONG SARASOTA ELDERLY

 

"SARASOTA CAN EXPECT FINANCIAL BURDEN AS ABUSE GROWS"

 

Sarasota, FL // –  The Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse (SCoSA) in conjunction with their Senior Focus Committee will host an informative seminar entitled “Following Ms. Edna” designed to educate attendees about the alcohol and substance abuse services available to older adults in Sarasota County, Florida. 
 

The seminar will feature nationally known speaker Dr. Lawrence Schonfeld, from University of South Florida, who will address substance abuse among older adults.  In addition to Dr. Schonfeld, Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Bruce Robinson and others will address where older adults can turn when substance abuse is suspected.
 

A study conducted by Penn State University in 2003 showed that less than half of alcoholics over 65 are diagnosed, and the typical telltale signs of alcohol dependence are masked by patient denial and seeming good health.  “This fact should be on the radar screen here in Sarasota, with one of the largest senior populations in the state”, stated Curt Lavarello, Executive Director of the Coalition.  “The fact is that we are going to experience an increasing number of older adults who will be alcoholics as our baby boomers enter old age and we have to address these issues now before this problem financially burdens our Medicare program,” continued Lavarello.


The seminar is open to the public and members of the media are invited.  It will take place Friday, March 24th, 2006 at 8:00 am at The Community Foundation Building at 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.  For additional information or to register go to www.SCOSA.org or call 941.922.SAFE.

Following Ms. Edna information

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