Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – The Circleville Probation Department will host an opiate addiction forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the municipal courtroom on East Franklin Street.
The purpose of the forum, according to Jason McGowan, chief probation officer, is to provide information, answer questions and outline upcoming strategies in the fight against drug addiction in the community.
“About eight months ago, we got about six individuals together who have different levels of sobriety or are in active recovery,” McGowan said. “The purpose was to pick their brains to see what worked for them, why they have been successful so far and to give us ideas to start different programs and strategies.”
Tuesday’s forum, he said, will feature two of those in active recovery who will share their life experiences and how their addiction affected their families. One of their parents also will be on hand to share what they have experienced through their loved one’s addiction and road to recovery.
“We’re going to discuss things to look for, things to do, things not to do, and give them some reassurance that people can be successful in fighting opiate addiction,” McGowan said.
The forum also will outline new local efforts in the battle against drug addiction, including programs recently or soon-to-be implemented through Medicaid, programs at the county jail and treatment facilities, followed by a question and answer session with the public.
“We’re encouraging anyone who wants information to come sit in,” McGowan said. “This is open to anybody. We’re hoping it will be an impacting session, and we’ll be able to get some good information to people about what’s going on and the things that are available.”
The municipal courtroom is located on the second floor of the Circleville Police station on East Franklin Street.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
