By Monty Siekerman
Jon Cross, president and CEO of the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance, speaks at a forum about the opioid crisis.

During the meeting Thursday night in Dicke Hall, Cross and two other business leaders discussed how illicit drugs affect business.

They noted that with the current high employment rate, business and industry have a more difficult time finding employees. Drug tests are required by many human resource personnel and employment agencies. Some test-takers fail, making hiring even more arduous.

Panelists also included Dan Sheaffer, (seated at left), project specialist with Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, and Jeff Sprague, president and CEO of Allen County-Allen Economic Development Group. Prof. Jimmy Wilson of the Business College served as facilitator.

The event was sponsored by the ONU Dicke College of Business Administration, ONU Committee for Cultural Affairs and Special Events, ONU chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon geography honorary, and ONU’s Northern Opioid Alliance.