By Monty Siekerman
The crowd was somber. For good reason. The topic was drugs and the devastating effect they are having on our community and nation.

Six dead in Hardin County already this year. Four suspected drug overdose deaths in Allen County in 24 hours this week. More deaths in America from drugs than vehicle crashes last year - 50,000 people went to their graves because of illicit drugs.

Jenna Morrison, however, told a story of hope. She is a recovering addict. Recovering hasn't been easy, it's mighty hard, but with her fortitude and family love and support, she is winning the battle to stay clean.

Jenna's story began with a normal childhood in Kenton, getting into the party scene with other youths, "boredom" she said...a few beers, some marijuana, then the hard stuff.

Jenna, now 28 and the mom of two kids, cried while telling her story to strangers, the audience. The audience of students and adults stood in applause after her tearful and honest account.

Those who deal with drug abuse on a daily basis were part of the panel of local experts who spoke Wednesday at the Dicke Building: law enforcement and the courts, social services, the medical profession.

The two-hour session was organized by the ONU departments of history, politics and criminal justice and nursing.

The audience asked pertinent questions, including this one:
"What can a community do to fight the burgeoning drug problem?"

Some answers:
1. Parents: love your children, know what they are into, look for signs of drug abuse. Drugs are no respecters of age, race, or economic status.

2. Churches or other organizations can begin mentoring programs to show care and require accountability.

3. Churches can welcome all with open arms, don't be judgmental if a wayward person walks through the door.

3. Provide youth activities so children don't get bored.

4. Begin a voluntary recovery program.

Pictured, from left: Prof. Keith Durkin, moderator; Keith Everhart, sheriff; Wade Melton, director of programs for Hardin County Juvenile Court; Ken Fox, M.D., emergency room physician at Joint Township District Hospital in St. Marys; Steve Christopher, judge for the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Probate, and Juvenile Division; Jenna Morrison.