Community forums offering information on drug, alcohol use

Community members will have the opportunity to be informed on the various effects of drug and alcohol use through five consecutive forums, which will serve as a judgment free zone for those attending.

Due to the efforts of Paul McAnally and John Hunsberger, the Soul Cafe received $1,000 from the Rural East Adams Coalition for Health (REACH).

After the REACH received a $13,000 grant, McAnally said they approached the coalition about hosting community forums about drugs and alcohol use. Substance abuse is increasing throughout the country especially in rural areas, said Hunsberger.

The forums will serve as a judgment free zone for participants to be informed on these issues and ask questions, he explained.

Although some of the duo’s inspirations for hosting the events are personal, they seek a common goal to prevent substance abuse for the residents and youth of Adams County. McAnally said as a father, his children were his primary inspirations to host the forums and educate the public.

The negative affects of alcohol abuse hit McAnally on a personal level as he once drew victim to it himself, he explained. Seventeen years sober, McAnally said he is proud his children have never seen him under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and he plans to continue practicing and encouraging a sober lifestyle in his home.

McAnally said he would like to be a role model for his children and also protect them by educating their peers about drug and alcohol use as well. The key to preventing substance abuse is to start the conversation early in their lives, he explained.

As the pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church, Hunsberger said he sees the negative affects of substance abuse more often than he would like as he has attended many memorial services for people who fell victim to addiction. For the young people who have lost their lives to the disease, he believes the tragedy could have possibly been prevented by additional educational programs.

Since it’s legalization in 2012, the marijuana industry has expanded throughout the state and causing youth stigmas towards recreational use of the drug to change, said Hunsberger.

“It is crucial that we help prepare young people in this rural community for the great big world they are apart of,” he explained.

McAnally and Hunsberger said the forums are not specifically directed at young people, and they encourage community members of all ages to attend. They emphasized respect for the participants and the presenters expected of all those attending.

The forums will take place on five consecutive Tuesdays each consisting of a particular theme. The themes will educate participants on the legality of substances, medical effects from consumption, the discussion in public schools and resources for recovery.

The first forum will be on April 11 and it will focus on the legality and laws pertaining to drugs and alcohol.

McAnally said they asked Mayor Gary Cook, local law enforcement officers and marijuana retail workers to attend and answer questions about the laws and regulations. The duo expressed their appreciation for having city government and law enforcement support on these issues.

Hunsberger said although the discussion is geared towards preventing illegal use of substances, he recognizes the positive effects of medicinal marijuana. He said the purpose of the first theme is to teach people how to consume the substances legally.

The forum on April 18 will focus on the health risks caused by drug and alcohol consumption. For this event McAnally said they have reached out to local medical doctors and the Adams County Health Department to speak on this subject.

The third forum will discuss what educators are doing in public schools to inform students about alcohol and drug use. Hunsberger said they would like the forum to be impactful for area students and they encourage youth to attend and provide input.

In an attempt to encourage the students to be involved in the discussions, McAnally said he contacted school officials and local community leaders.

The fourth forum on May 2 will be geared towards informing participants on the resources available for recovery. McAnally said he wants people who are suffering with addiction to realize they have options.

The discussion will inform community members on the multiple recovery groups and services offered in the area. McAnally stated some victims of substance abuse continue to use because they are not informed on their options.

For the final forum, Hunsberger said he contacted the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team to present on drug paraphernalia. During the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to look at a variety of paraphernalia and be educated on the affects of each drug.

Hunsberger and McAnally said they encourage community members of all ages to attend to be informed on the changing world of drug and alcohol use because it affects everyone in some way. Hunsberger stated addiction impacts communities in a variety of ways, including criminal actions, and he urged residents to make prevention a priority.

Hunsberger stated, “We all get hurt in this world but there are positive ways to relate to our hurts without addiction.”

The duo has been taking steps to promote the events by handing out fliers with details of the discussions and through social media. The events will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. with refreshments following the presentation.