ASHLAND – The heroin epidemic sweeping across our country has not left Ashland County unscathed, as 10 area residents have died this year from opiate overdose, according to the Ashland Police Department.
The growing severity of the heroin addiction problem locally has spurred a number of community organizations to come together Saturday for a five-hour event at Freer Field called One Voice.
Pamela Kaiser, who helped plan the event which starts at 2 p.m., said One Voice is designed to spread awareness about the heroin problem and the resources available to help addicts or their family members.
“We want people to know, whether you are an addict or the family member of an addict, that you can come to any of these entities and get help. I think sometime the scariest thing is just stepping out and worrying about what it’s going to look like when you do that,” Kaiser said.
Sponsored by Celebrate Recovery, One Voice was originally planned as a walk through downtown from the County Courthouse to Corner Park, however the fear of inclement weather forced organizers to move the event to the Freer Barn at Freer Field. Celebrate Recovery is a biblically-based 12-step recovery program for all types of addiction created by Rick Warren and John Baker of Saddleback Church.
Community organizations that are taking part in the event and will be on-hand including Celebrate Recovery; Celebration Place; The Landing; Transformation Network; Appleseed Community Mental Health; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Catholic Charities; Family and Children First; Safe Haven; ACCESS; ACCADA; Starfish Project; the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department; the Ashland County-City Health Department and more.
Speakers will include Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell, Ohio Sen. Larry Obhof, Congressman Bob Gibbs, Ashland Police Detective Brian Evans and Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse director Dennis Dyer.
Also as part of the event, there will be face painting and activities for children, a concert by Rick Pino at 6 p.m. and food from DorLo, Hog Wild BBQ, Dan’s Dogs and Pancho Taco.
For Kaiser who helped organize the event, the issue is very personal, as she has worked as a nurse in recovery centers and she also has several family members who have struggled with addiction.
She hopes to see Ashland add even more resources to help those struggling with addiction get their lives back on track once they stop using.
“There are great resources for counseling, but fighting addiction takes much more than just counseling,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser said they are already planning future events to help raise awareness and keep the opioid problem at the front of people’s awareness.
