Community conversation on the opioid epidemic offered March 7

The opioid epidemic affecting the entire Metro Detroit community will be the subject of the annual Alicia Joy Techner Memorial Parenting Conference March 7 at Temple Israel.

Held since 1979, The Alicia Joy Techner Memorial Parenting Conference seeks to bring the Southeast Michigan community together for public conversation about modern parenting challenges. The series is sponsored by Ilene and David Techner of Birmingham, in memory of their beloved daughter Alicia, is open to the community and presented at no cost for attendees (though advance registration is requested).

Detroit Red Wings TV Announcer Ken Daniels, who recently lost his son to addiction, will give a talk titled "If Only I Had Known." It is designed to share personal stories from a variety of perspectives, so parents can feel more informed, empowered and educated about the opioid crisis and how it is undoubtedly affecting families they know. Other scheduled speakers include:

- Steve Feldman, chief operating officer, Feinberg Consulting/Feinberg Addiction Services.

- Chief Michael Patton, West Bloomfield Police.

- Retired Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Edward Sosnick.

"Alicia Joy Techner would have been 40 years old last year," said David Techner, funeral director at the Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield. "Ilene and I take great pride in knowing that the community members who will benefit from this Conference would have been Alicia's peers and friends, alongside her siblings. These resources, in her memory, will help them with the balance of challenge and reward that comes from the parenting experience."

The event begins at 7 p.m., at no cost to attendees at the Temple, located at 5725 Walnut Lake Road, just east of Drake Road, in West Bloomfield. Registration is requested via Kate Boman at 248-661-5700 or kate@temple-israel.org.

Published: Wed, Feb 21, 2018