SIDNEY — Local residents are invited to learn more about the heroin epidemic ravaging Ohio and the nation at a forum entitled Heroin: Threatening Our Families, Wednesday, May 11, 7 to 8 p.m., in the Holy Angels School cafeteria, 120 E. Water St., Sidney. Recommended for audiences of junior high school age and above, the program is free and open to the public.
Thirty-three children were removed from homes in this area in the last few months because of their parents’ heroin addition. Ohio is second in the country in the number of heroin overdoses.
Such facts are overwhelming. The May 11 forum will focus on the myths surrounding heroin and the reasons use of the drug has soared. It will also enlighten attendees about places to find information and assistance and explain how community members can help.
Forum presenters are Jeremy Morris and Officer Mike McRill, who work daily in the battle against the heroin epidemic. Jeremy Morris is the executive director of Sidney’s Samaritan Works, a Christ-centered organization committed to whole life recovery for men and women affected by substance abuse. He is a Sidney native, and a graduate of Fairlawn High School and The Ohio State University. He had ten years of law enforcement experience before assuming his current position.
Sidney Police Officer Mike McRill is a resource officer for the Sidney Police Department, where he is also a member of the SWAT team, a range instructor, field training officer, evidence technician, and a member of the Tri-County Response and Ohio Crisis Response teams. Prior to joining the police department, McRill taught sixth grade in the Sidney City Schools for twelve years. He is a board member at Samaritan Works.
“Heroin addiction has been devastating to so many families. It is so important for our communities to be informed about what heroin does to people and what resources are available. We can’t fight what we are ignorant about,” Lead Organizer Judy Zimmerman said.
Heroin: Threatening Our Families is sponsored by Holy Angels Parish in partnership with the Petersburg Parishes. For more information contact Zimmerman (Holy Angels), 937-492-4364, or Rachel Barber (Petersburg Parishes), 419-738-4924.
