The LWV presents a community conversation about opioids in support of 2019 National Recovery Awareness Month. In alignment with this year’s theme: “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger” the LWV wants to engage in a conversation to determine what we can do as an organization to support our community to become recovery friendly in the midst of the opioid epidemic. Andrea James, the Mayor’s Special Projects Coordinator will share updates of her work and attendees will then participate in small table conversations to share ideas of how we can address the opioid crisis as a community and how the LWV might move ideas forward.

Bio for Andrea James: Andrea James serves as Special Projects Coordinator for Mayor Linda Gorton. Her emphasis is on the opioid crisis and its impact on the City of Lexington. She served on Lexington’s city council 2007-2011 representing the First District and has the distinct honor of being the first black woman to serve as an elected city council member in Lexington. Andrea has worked in local government, philanthropy and various medical administrative roles. Outside of her work with Mayor Gorton, she is co-owner of S & A Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in intentional inclusion and equity. Andrea often reminds herself and others of two very important approaches to efforts: Ask yourself and others “Is that true?” before proceeding with important next steps. And remember that how things are rooted is how they will grow.