Your Voice MOV forum discusses opioid addiction

The second of three forums to discuss opioids and addiction issues was held Monday evening in Belpre.

Like the mythical Hydra battled in Greek legend that grew two new heads when one was cut off, new heroin and fentanyl deals are transacted by different users at every turn.

Your Voice MOV held a meeting at the Belpre Masonic Lodge on Putnam Howe Drive which drew about 30 people, including doctors, businesspeople, volunteers, residents and some who self-identified as recovering addicts.

The third meeting will be 6-8 p.m. today at the Washington County Fairgrounds clubhouse at 922 Front St. in Marietta.

The moderator was Doug Oplinger, with Your Voice Ohio. He said the program is an outgrowth of efforts to raise awareness and combine the information and resources of media organizations and outlets to get information out to and back from the communities they serve.

“There are just too many people dying” from opioid addictions, he said during his introductory remarks to the people in attendance.

Monday’s program revolved primarily around small-group and large-group discussions about the issues surrounding opioid and other addictions. At different points during the two-hour session, Oplinger posed a question for the group at large, the smaller groups at different tables discussed each question and the issues they believed it raised among themselves and then the whole group listed their answers as a whole for everyone to see.

The primary questions discussed at Monday’s forum included: What do you think the addiction crisis looks like in your community; What do you see as the causes of the addiction crisis; and What steps can be taken to combat addiction in the community.

View Full Article