By Chase Strawser, KnoxPages.com Reporter
GAMBIER- As a part of the Knox Addiction Conference, a Town Hall meeting was organized by the Knox Substance Abuse Action Team at Kenyon College Wednesday evening to highlight important topics and concerns on drug addiction in the Knox County community. The meeting emphasized the importance of community awareness and sensitivity about drug issues in order to detect, mend and, prevent them.
The Town Hall meeting featured experts on addiction services, addiction treatment, and the legal ramifications of drug abuse. The panel members included David Shaffer, Knox County Sheriff, Kelly Brenneman, Director of United Way of Knox County, Kristina Foreman, Clinical Director of the Freedom Center, Chip McConville, Knox County Prosecutor, and Rob Broeren, City Law Director of Mount Vernon. Matt Starr moderated the discussion.
Matt Starr, standing, moderated Wednesday’s Town Hall as part of the Knox Addiction Conference at Kenyon College. Seated from left to right are United Way Executive Director Kelly Brenneman, Prosecutor Chip McConville, Sheriff David Shaffer, Freedom Center Clinical Director Kristina Foreman, and City Law Director Rob Broeren – KP Photo by Marty Trese
Crime statistics can be an indicator of the severity of drug abuse in a community. For example, out of 110 Knox County Common Pleas Court cases, 90 defendants were either influenced by, or at risk of being influenced by drugs, according to McConville.
For some, this can be a compelling call to action. How can a community come together to help combat the reoccurring sources of drug abuse?
At the individual level, family members and friends can be aware of loved ones struggling with addiction. The discussion highlighted the importance of being candid about the behaviors of loved ones falling into addictive patterns. According to Brenneman, “Until it happens to you, you really don’t know how you will react.” It may be difficult at first, but reaching out is important for the well being of those members of our community who have succumbed to addiction, some being people we are close to.
Recovery Housing was discussed by the panel. Recovery Housing is an important safe haven for those suffering from addiction and can be a way for communities to show that addiction treatment is a top priority. Recovery Housing gives people an encouraging atmosphere for their rehabilitation as they are gradually reintroduced back into their normal lives. As former addicts become productive members of the community again, the community can see addiction as treatable rather than something to stigmatize.
The Knox County courts are also finding ways to reduce the stigma of addiction in people who have been convicted of crimes. According to McConville, if a defendant has no prior convictions in felony drug offense, they can get an Intervention in Lieu of Conviction to substitute a felony conviction for treatment at the court’s discretion. At the juvenile level, according to Broeren, The Drug Court is a program that also ensures those convicted of crimes get the rehabilitation they need while still being responsible in the community’s eyes. According to Shaffer, jails are also being more proactive in making sure inmates are getting the treatment they need.
Community members concerned about addiction can help by keeping the discussion going and generating ideas similar to the efforts by the Knox Addiction Conference and Town Hall meeting. Educating the community as a whole about addiction is important, starting with the youngest members. As discussed by the panel, communities can come up with their own solutions and possibly influence policies at higher levels of authority. According to McConville during the panel, “It has to be a community wide sort of effort; the community has to know what is going on.”
