By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Community Care Walk returned to where it all began for its fifth annual march Saturday morning.
Returning to Bucyrus the Community Care Walk drew an estimated 100 participants including local community leaders and police officials. Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke was unable to attend, however prior to the walk Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser read a statement on his behalf.
The walk began at the parking lot of the Bucyrus Community Hospital and proceeded down Sandusky Avenue turning right onto Charles Street and finishing at the Good Hope Lutheran Church.
After five years the event had a few first time walkers. Shawn Jolley and Amy Price were taking part in their first Community Care Walk.
“This is my first year; first year sober, first year doing it,” Jolley said. “It feels pretty good. I was just telling her it was this time last year I was waking up and getting high, and now I am walking in an awareness march; it’s pretty cool.”
Price added that she was there to give Jolley support in his quest to stay sober.
Taking part in all five Community Care Walk events Bucyrus City Auditor Joyce Schifer explained the importance that each of the marches have brought to the communities.
“You have a group of people who really care and who have been touched by the drug addictions in the county and so we are gathering for one common cause to beat that and bring our country back to a place where there are no drugs,” Schiffer said.
Once the walk to Good Hope Lutheran Church commenced the participants filled the pews of the church to listen to the guest speakers at the event.
Crawford and Marion County ADAMH Board Executive Director Jodi Demo-Hodgins spoke to the crowd briefly thanking Together We Hurt Together We Heal for creating the conversation of the dangers of drug abuse. Demo-Hodgins then turned her words to the parents in the crowd.
“Fifty percent of addiction risk is in genes. We need to do a better job at talking about it to our children. Having a conversation is the most important thing that you can do. The second most important thing is to stop early use,” Demo-Hodgins said.
Demo-Hodgins challenged the crowd to start the conversation with their children to never do drugs or drink alcohol.
While speaking to the crowd Mary Jo Carle explained that the community has come to the walk to show their support for those battling addiction and going through recovery. Prior to stepping down from the podium Carle had all those in attendance that are in recovery stand up to be recognized for their bravery in their fight to stay sober.
Mary Jean Hensley was next to speak to the crowd. As she spoke to the crowd she spoke about having to work on finding the missing piece towards recovery.
“Recovery is beautiful, but what can we do to help,” Hensley questioned the crowd. “Become a mentor to someone, attend a 12 step program, or Al Anon meeting, send a supportive letter to someone in jail, reach out to a family is hurting.”
After speaking to the Crowd Hensley introduced the law enforcement officials who participated in the walk.
Of the county law enforcement officials Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent was the first to speak to the crowd. During his speech Sheriff Kent noted that when he started that the main illicit drug in the county was marijuana with cocaine occasionally being found, but now heroin is the main drug of worry for the county.
“The police are doing a good job,” Sheriff Kent said. “I am proud to announce that through our combined efforts we have doubled taking drugs off the street, but we can’t arrest ourselves out of it. We have to educate. We have D.A.R.E. in all six county schools. Deputy Martin might be the most well-known officer in the Sheriff’s office. “
Sheriff Kent noted the numerous inmates suffering through withdrawals at the county jail. Sheriff Kent noted the numerous avenues of help that those who are in the county jail to become sober including the Alpha 12 Step Recovery Program, as well as Community Counseling.
“Three out of five addicts relapse we need to be supportive and compassionate yet firm in helping them recover,” Sheriff Kent said. “We have come a long way, but we still have a long road to go.”
During his speech Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield noted that when he took over as police chief of Galion the county had collectively had its head in the sand on the drug problem. Saterfield noted that through the cooperation of each of the police departments wouldn’t be enough and that it would take the help of the community to rid the area of the drug problem.
New Washington Police Chief Jeff Shook was the next officer to speak to the crowd and noted he was faced with the area drug problem.
“As I took over the office in February I was faced with two overdose issues,” Chief Shook said. “I found quickly the number of resources in the community,” Shook said. “I contacted the ADAMH Board. There is a collection of Police, judges, and counselors individually there is a little we can do, but collectively we can do a lot.”
Chief Shook noted that the battle in the community is a double edged sword.
After the county police officials finished speaking Mary Jean Hensley returned to the podium thanking the law enforcement.
“I would like to thank our law enforcement,” Hensley said. “They don’t just arrest or hand out tickets. They care.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Community Care March 2015