By SYDNEY KENT
Almost a year after its inception, the Wells County Drug Task Force continues to confront the issue of substance abuse in the community.
The task force was established last fall through a partnership between Citizens Against Drug Abuse and the advocacy committee for the Wells County Chamber of Commerce.
Erin Prible, executive director of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce, said the group officially began after U.S. Rep. Jim Banks visited with local leaders and concerned citizens to talk about drugs at the global, national and local level.
“We’re no different than the next county over,” Prible said. “The problem is global. But we as concerned citizens need to walk alongside those that are struggling, or supporting those that are helping individuals in recovery.”
The task force has noticeably changed the language around recovery, reaching beyond the regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
Ten members of the task force completed a training program late last month to provide NARCAN administration training to groups and individuals.
Along with Prible, members Hattie Wondercheck, Rachel Reinhard, Andy Yergler, Joe Dickson, Trudy Dickson, Wendy Bailey, Bethanie Burns, Molly Hoag, Anna Murphy and Kim Conner also completed the program.
“They all represent different areas,” Prible explained. “The goal is to figure out how to train and educate others now. Everyone comes from different sectors. I hope to talk to employers, talk about the stats and what to do with an employee going through an overdose situation.”
Prible said the Chamber will soon be a distributing site in Bluffton to obtain Narcan, a treatment for overdoses, for free. Narcan is currently available, also for free, in a box at the back of the Community Thrift store, located at 117 South Main St. in Bluffton.
Prible explained that the force consists of several sub committees, each working to provide resources to a different population, such as parents and youth or employers.
“One sub committee is working on doing a big community event next year,” Prible said. “Our parents and youth sub-committee worked to bring a ‘Hidden In Plain Sight’ trailer at all registrations for each school system this year.”
Prible explained that the trailer is set up to look like a bedroom of a high school student. An individual walks parents through and shows them places where drugs may be hidden. The Wells County Foundation funded the trailer.
“If we can reach parents,” Prible said. “Maybe that will impact students.”
Though only operating for one year, the task force has raised over $17,000 and hosted its first event less than a month after forming. Last September, an anti-drug speaking group presented to all three schools in the area. Speakers Cody Knuckles and John Humphries, also known as Cody and John Speak, also spoke at a free community event to discuss drug abuse and mental health.
Prible called the stories “raw, real and relevant” to students dealing with addiction. Of the intangible accomplishments, the task force hopes to continue to bring awareness to the reality of addiction and remove the stigma.
“Nobody wakes up in the morning and decides to do drugs today,” Prible said. “It’s often a way to escape trauma. In Cody’s case, it is as simple as having an injury that led to an addiction to Percocet. Whatever the reason, we want to provide better service to our community. They’re all sons and daughters and citizens of our community.”
The Indiana Chamber Executive Association recognized the group with an award for developing the task force. Prible recognized the Wells County Foundation for a large portion of the raised funds. In August 2023, the Wells County Commissioners gave $2,000 to support the speaking series.
The group consists of representatives from nonprofits, law enforcement, counseling, all three schools, recovery centers, City Council, the town of Ossian, the Wells County Prosecutor’s Office and Probation, local churches, and more. Anyone interested in joining should contact Prible at eprible@wellscoc.com.
The SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for help.
sydney@news-banner.com
