MANSFIELD — It’s been said ad nauseam that Richland County faces a serious drug problem, affecting many families, friends, co-workers, etc.
Yet those affected by it can often feel isolated.
“We want people to know they’re not alone,” said Valerie Rust, intake coordinator with the Starfish Project of Richland County.
In keeping with this goal, two events will take place in downtown Mansfield, the first is International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event on Aug. 31 each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
“The (drug) epidemic just keeps getting worse,” said Traci Willis, event coordinator.
Willis has planned numerous drug-awareness events in the past to help make a positive impact. It’s a cause that the 22-year-old is passionate about, having lost her oldest brother to heroin-use when she was 17.
Willis hopes to connect people with resources that can provide support, which is why several community agencies will be in attendance of the event with information on how their services can assist individuals affected by addiction.
The event begins at 7 p.m. in the Brickyard and will feature guest speakers State Rep. Mark Romanchuk and Bob Ball of the Richland County Coroner’s Office.
Artwork created by people who have an emotional connection to addiction will be on display, some of which will be for sale.
There will also be live music by local musicians Ethan Kool and Sarah Goff.
Donations will be accepted throughout the event and all proceeds will go toward the Starfish Project, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping people get treatment for drug addiction and other life-controlling issues.
The Starfish Project provides scholarship funds toward initial induction fees for the Teen Challenge program, which endeavors to help teenagers, adults, and families with problems such as substance abuse.
“For us to send someone into treatment in Teen Challenge, each person we send runs us between $500 and $1,000,” Rust said.
The event, which is sponsored by Richland Bank, will conclude with a candlelight vigil.
Ten days later, the Starfish Project is holding an event called Richland Redemption with the intent of bringing together several organizations that can help those struggling with addiction and provide them and their families with resources for sustained recovery.
Event participants will include Three C Counseling, Family Life Counseling, Catalyst Life Services, Mansfield Municipal Drug Court, Richland County Substance Abuse Court, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Reaching Out, the Starfish Project, Gateway Resource Center, Come To The Well, Healing Hearts, 12 Steps for Jesus, Erase the Shame, and Project One.
This third annual event will feature speeches from State Rep. Mark Romanchuk and State Sen. Larry Obhof, Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon and Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz.
There will be live music from Dale Powers and free refreshments.
Richland Redemption will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the Central Park gazebo. In the event of rain, it will be moved to All Believers In Christ Church at 23 N. Main St.
Rust’s son suffered from addiction and went through the Teen Challenge program to help with the recovery process. He’s been sober for 10 years and now serves as a pastor in Missouri.
“When people are struggling with addiction or families have a loved one who is addicted, that sense of isolation can be crippling,” she said.
Rust hopes the upcoming events will help people realize that they’re not alone and that there are many agencies and support groups available for assistance.
The Starfish Project recently started a support group for friends and family members of people struggling with addiction that meets Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at Mosaic Church.
“People don’t need to be ashamed,” Rust said. “This doesn’t have to define your family, this doesn’t have to define the individual. There are a lot of people out here struggling.”
