The city, in partnership with Strongsville churches and businesses, will take the first steps toward a community-based solution to the growing addiction crisis with a three-part public forum.
The forum will take place on three successive Tuesdays -- Sept. 12, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26 -- and will aim at helping those who live with addiction and their families, as well as launching a community-wide response to the epidemic.
The series will deal with addiction to substances from alcohol to opioids to heroin. The sessions start at 6:30 p.m. at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center, 18100 Royalton Rd.
The topics include:
Sept. 12 --
The Neurobiology of Addiction and How it Impacts the Family System and Society
Leading the forum is Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor Jim Joyner. Certified by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professional Board, the clinical supervisor has 44 years of professional experience working in the field of alcohol and other drug prevention, treatment and training. Joyner will be speaking about various drug and alcohol topics. The program explores the neurobiology of addiction -- specifically, the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, financial and behavioral consequences related to the misuse, abuse and addictive use of alcohol and drugs
There will be various support groups at the session, as well as grief recovery groups for those who have lost people to addiction.
Sept. 19 -- Learn About Resources from Family Support Groups and Recovery Groups
This segment will look at addiction from the viewpoint of those suffering from addiction and families impacted by addiction. Four people will share their stories:
- A person recovering from addiction
- A person recovering from alcoholism
- A parent of an adult child with an addiction
- A parent who lost a child to addiction
The evening will also inlcude a panel discussion to highlight various support groups available for those with addictions and their families. Representatives from the various support groups will be available to talk one-on-one after the session.
Sept. 26 -- Addiction and the Criminal Justice and Health Care Systems
This segment will discuss the drug courts that are available to help rehab an offender versus just prosecute, have them serve time then put them back on the streets to get caught again in the cycle. Judge David Matia from the Cuyahoga County Drug Court will talk about the rehab-based program.
Police Chief Mark Fender will share the Strongsville Police Department's programs that aim at educating children about drugs, providing help to those facing addiction and an on-going recovery support effort.
Providing a medical aspect will be Dr. Ted Parran, who will talk about the various types of addictions and what treatments work best for each.
In addition, Emily Metz from Project DAWN, a MetroHealth Medical Center program for overdose education and Narcan distribution, will talk about what to do in case of an overdose.
There will be a question-and-answer session.
“The awareness forums are only the beginning of our city, faith community and businesses joining together in an effort to be part of the solution to the addiction epidemic,” said Becky Zatezalo, director of adult discipleship at Strongsville United Methodist Church and spokeswoman for the faith coalition team. “As we move forward, we will partner together with on-going support resources.
“The impact of addiction on families, friends and society is too great and it can’t be dealt with alone - hidden in shame and guilt. It takes a community becoming involved in the lives of its people, being accepting and non-judgmental, helping to take away the stigma of addiction. Everyone has a story. We are called to help, to become part of the new chapter in their story. It’s time as a community to realize that we can no longer sit on the sidelines believing the issues of addiction will go away. It’s time to join the fight. The community of Strongsville is all in.”
Registration is not required to attend the forum, and everyone is welcome. If you have questions, contact Strongsville Safety Director Charles Goss at
charles.goss@strongsville.org.