Richard Moody is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the state Senate Heroin Task Force will hold a public forum at Columbia-Greene Community College, February 28. The plan is to bring stakeholders and experts together with lawmakers and discuss potential solutions to the opioid and heroin epidemic in New York. State Senators Kathy Marchione and George Amedore, both Republicans, will take part in the event. Three panels of speakers are scheduled to participate: One made-up of members of the Senate heroin task force, a second, featuring local elected officials, and the third, with first responders, including a representative of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell, Republican of Stockport, will participate in the local government panel, and is urging residents to attend, noting that heroin and opioid addiction is an affliction that crosses all demographic barriers. Greene County Legislature Minority Leader and state Assembly candidate, Democrat Aidan O’Connor is also expected to participate, saying he will bring any information provided by the task force back to his fellow lawmakers. There is no charge to attend the forum, scheduled to be held at 5:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 28, in the Arts Center Theater at Columbia-Greene Community College on Route 23 in Greenport. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.