By Courtney Taylor
news@wbcowqel.com
The heroin epidemic has been a specter over Crawford County for a number of years, but local pastors and counselors are hoping a two-day outreach will help make a difference in addicts’ lives.
In late 2014, there were 14 heroin deaths in Hamilton County in the course of one week. Pastors in the area, along with civic leaders, banded together to try and make a difference, and Hope Over Heroin was born.
Hope Over Heroin was originally a one-time, three-day outreach in Hamilton County. When over 10,000 people attended, however, it was realized that it could become a much larger program.
The founders began receiving inquiries from all across the United States from places wanting to get involved, and they started accepting invitations in Ohio and surrounding states like Indiana and Kentucky. Today, Hope Over Heroin is a two-day function with a mission to help addicts and their families.
Rosalie Canfield, Field Coordinator, Director of Operations and co-founder of Hope Over Heroin, said, “I see our organization as a three-legged stool. The first leg is the collaboration of resources; agencies in Crawford County that want to help and be represented. These include detox and rehab centers, halfway houses, etc. The second leg is the faith aspect, as we are Christ-centered. We want these people to know that there is hope and power through a relationship with God. This is where we bring in appealing music and live testimonies, because many don’t feel comfortable going into churches. The third leg is after-event support. We want to avoid being just an event. Everyone who wants our help receives it.”
This follow up would not be possible without the many volunteers involved. Each event has a minimum of about 125 volunteers, primarily made up of pastors and certified drug counselors to assist with reaching out to all participants.
“It’s a phenomenal event. We’ve seen miracles happen. Part of it’s heartbreaking, it’s a tragedy, but we’re making a real difference,” said Dan Rebon, local event point person and pastor of Father’s Heart Healing Center.
Another part of their mission is to help navigate the process of finding help and trying to expedite the process.
This month’s event is 5 to 9 p.m. on June 23 and 24 at Washington Square in Bucyrus.
On both Friday and Saturday, a stunt motorcycle group of former addicts called Ride for Life will kick off the day with a show starting at 5 p.m. Then, on Friday only, people can meet at Randy’s Tire and Auto Repair to participate in a memorial march to the stage, where photos and quotes from lost loved ones will be displayed, followed by a balloon release. At 7 p.m., minor bands will start opening for the main event. At 7:30 the main event of music and live testimonies will begin, proceeded by an alter call. A large baptismal will also be featured for those who wish to become saved and then baptized.
Throughout the day, there will be a tent of agencies where people can make appointments to talk to someone and fill out applications for rehab centers, some of which have scholarships available to help with the cost. The event and the food provided (hot dogs, chips, and drinks) are completely free to anyone, and is just as much for families and friends of addicts.
The local community, churches, and government have come together like never before to support this cause.
“Personally, I know this time is an appointment from God. Never have we seen such a cooperation between the government of God and the natural government,” said Rebon.
“We are building God’s kingdom, not our own. All denominations are coming together without separate agendas or jealousies to try and make a difference,” said Mike Corwin, local event point person and pastor of Bucyrus United Methodist Church.
Corwin and Rebon have been working with Hope Over Heroin for a little over a year now, and are very hopeful for the change it will bring to Crawford County. They want to switch addicts’ viewpoints from a hope for drugs to a hope for Christ.
Casey Roelle, former addict and soon to be acting pastor at Bucyrus United Methodist Church, spoke on the help addicts need in transitioning to sober life.
“They need a group where they can be plugged in, held accountable, and taught how to go through life sober,” she said.
It is stressed that anyone who has a problem, or knows someone else who does, spreads the word about Hope Over Heroin so that every person who needs help can start working on bettering their lives and making a difference.
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