John Halpern, M.D. to speak on Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World at Forbes House Museum

Forbes House Museum’s opium exhibition to take place March 3

Dr. Halpern places opium in an historical context and provides an overview of the root causes of the current opioid epidemic. With opium inextricably linked to our modern trade networks, drug enforcement policies and medical treatments, he presents a need for a compassionate, multifaceted approach to battling the epidemic of opioid overdoses and addiction.

First in a series of programs being offered in conjunction with the museum’s upcoming exhibition Opium: The Business of Addiction. In collaboration with the Milton Coalition and the Milton Public Library, the exhibition will tell the story of the Forbes family’s involvement in the 19th-century opium trade, the trade’s links to the current opioid epidemic, and its lasting impact on US-Sino relations.

The exhibition and related programs were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IGSM-249469-OMS-21) and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support provided by Mass Humanities and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Milton.

For tickets or to learn more, go to: https://www.forbeshousemuseum.org/opium-exhibition/