SYRACUSE — Nearly 100 concerned citizens attended a two-hour presentation, “The Opioid Epidemic: Our Community Speaks,” Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Syracuse Community Center.

Speakers were local business owners and recovering addicts Phil Rich Oest and Brittney Bushong; Syracuse Police Chief Jim Layne; Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott; Amanda Herendeen, Department of Child Services; Bowen Center Assistant Director to Recovery Services Benny Powell; Dr. Carolyn Greer, medical director of the Bowen Recovery Center; and Mary Gerard, who completed the lineup of speakers with a call to action.

Mike Murphy, director of the Syracuse Bowen Center, emceed the event and facilitated a Q&A session after the presentations.

Along the hallway outside the meeting room, several organizations combating local addiction challenges set up tables to provide information about the help they provide: Kosciusko Care Youth Services, Celebrate Recovery, Narcotics Anonymous, Groups Recover Together, Fellowship Missions, True Purpose Ministries, Rose Garden Recovery Community and Bowen Center.

Tote bags and magnets containing a 10-point action plan were distributed to the attendees.

The action points are:

• · Collect and dispose of all unused prescription medications in your home.
• · Help educate your kids, grandkids and their friends about the opioid crisis.
• · Offer safe rides home. Always. No questions asked.
• · Keep prescription drugs and all alcohol in
• a safe, locked area.
• · Volunteer with a recovery home or other organization directly dealing with the opioid crisis.
• · Donate funds to organizations dealing with addiction prevention and recovery.
• · Understand the facts and myths about opioid drug use and abuse.
• · Question providers who prescribe excessive amounts of pain mediation.
• · Educate your employer or other organizations about the importance of having Narcan.
• · Invite those in recovery to present to your church, clubs, school organizations, etc. about their story.

The event was sponsored by the city of Warsaw and catered by Harvest Coffee of Milford, which provided finger foods, cookies and drinks.

A full article about the event will appear in the Wednesday, Feb. 5, issue of The Mail-Journal.