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Connections

Coming up on Connections: Tuesday, October 9

Brandon Scott

First hour: Special broadcast on the opioid epidemic - Local individuals in recovery discuss their battles with addiction 

Second hour: Special broadcast on the opioid epidemic - An update on the community response to the crisis

In this special edition of Connections, we address the opioid epidemic in New York State. The conversation will take place in front of a live studio audience at the WXXI studios. In the first hour, local individuals living in recovery will share their journeys of hope and the challenges they've faced battling addiction. Our guests:

  • Brandon Scott, living in recovery for one year
  • Yana Khasper, co-founder of ROCovery Fitness, who is living in recovery
  • Sean Smith, co-founder of ROCovery Fitness, who is living in recovery

In our second hour, local leaders in healthcare and law enforcement will provide an update on the state of the crisis in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Our guests:

  • Dr. Michael Mendoza, M.D., Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health
  • Jennifer Faringer, director of DePaul's National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Rochester Area 
  • Todd Baxter, Monroe County Sheriff

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. 
WXXI is located at 280 State Street, Rochester. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and you must be in your seat by 11:45 a.m. You will be able to leave after the first hour. If you want to just come from the 2nd hour, please arrive by 12:45 p.m. Paid parking is available in the city garage next to the station.

Connections
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.