By HOLLY GASKILL
A free community event will be offered Thursday night at the 4-H Community Building to address issues of the opioid crisis.
The main event will include a presentation from speakers Cody Knuckles and John Humphries, also known as Cody and John Speak, who address mental health, drug abuse, and their journeys with the two. The duo is also slated to speak at the local high schools this week, as both of their struggles with addiction began in their teens.
Local organizations will open the building at 6 p.m., including 16 different opportunities to learn about various recovery, housing, and mental health resources. During this time, Citizens Advocating for Drug Awareness and Wells County EMS will provide demonstrations on administering Naloxone, an opioid overdose treatment. The groups will also have Naxolone available for those wanting to carry their own.
Knuckles and Humphries will follow with their presentation at 7 p.m., and a time for questions will be available afterward.
The speaker series is a product of a recently formed group drug task force. Erin Prible, executive director of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce, said the group’s impetus followed a meeting with U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, who asked to bring local community members together to discuss drug issues locally and nationally. Led by the chamber’s advocacy committee and CADA, the group formed an intentional group to address ongoing issues.
Over 40 individuals from various sectors — including law enforcement, public officials, school administration, business owners, and more — have signed up to serve on the task force. Cody and John Speak is the first event the group has held since forming, and one they hope brings a worthwhile conversation to the forefront.
“This event is not a one and done with the Taskforce Committee,” Prible said. “This is just the beginning. We want to provide resources, information, and programming from youth to adult. The stigma needs to change. You are worthy, you are supported, and there are people here locally that want to help. Our hope is to educate people from this event on the dangers of fentanyl, overdoses, and prevention.”
“Cody and John Speak” was initially booked by Bluffton High School last year, and, in meeting as a committee, the group decided to extend the reach of the message. The Wells County Foundation provided additional funding for the school events, and the City of Bluffton, the Town of Ossian, the Town of Poneto, Wells County Commissioners, National Oil and Gas, and Renovate Counseling helped support the community event. Wells County, Bluffton, and Ossian supported the event through opioid settlement funds.
In addition to the resources, demonstrations, and presentations, each person who attends will be entered in a drawing for a gift basket, bracelets for the Bluffton Street Fair, or a $25 gas card.
Prible added, “My favorite quote by Margaret Mead is, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ We can’t put the blinders on and deny drugs are not in our community, because they are here. However, when we all come together, we can make a change.”
holly@news-banner.com
