Baton Rouge woman to talk about mental health, fentanyl crisis on Capitol Hill
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Voices in mental health, public safety, and public policy are coming together on Capitol Hill Thursday. A Baton Rouge native will speak about the fentanyl crisis and mental health.
Tonja Myles, a nationally recognized mental health advocate and CEO of Set Free Indeed Ministry, will discuss her journey battling drug addiction and using her influence to impact the lives of others.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2023, with nearly 70% of those deaths linked to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. In addition, Myles said suicide continues to have a devastating impact across the U.S., with rising concerns particularly among youth and veterans.
The 'Public Safety, Public Health, Public Hope' event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.
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