At our final Mid-Ohio Valley event in Marietta, almost 60 community members gathered at the Washington County Fairgrounds Clubhouse to discuss the local addiction crisis. In attendance were local judges, candidates, probation officers, lawyers, people in recovery and their families, teachers, and medical professionals. One woman in recovery spoke face-to-face with a Washington County common pleas judge about the need for recovery specialists to work alongside members of the drug court. Another expressed concern about her inability to support her son as he returned from prison–who was available to help him stay away from drugs, establish relationships and find work? Echoing her sentiment, several people identified with the struggle to find work with a non-violent felony in their past.
Attendees also wanted to see substance abuse education at an early age. One healthcare professional noted that in Marietta, the age of first use is 13-14. Initiatives to increase this statistic, even if only by a few years, could significantly reduce the risk of long-term addiction for youth.
To read more about the event, including the personal stories, experiences, proposed solutions, and questions the community wants local journalists to answer, download the event report.