By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Looking for a chance to help bridge the gap of communication on drugs and alcohol between adults and youth, the Drug and Alcohol Dialogue Night was held at the Galion Free Methodist Church on Thursday night.
Hosted by ADAMH Board Executive Director Jody Demo-Hodgins, and drug prevention specialist Cindy Clouner, the Drug and Alcohol Dialogue Night has been held in different locations around Crawford and Marion County for 12 years. This year’s theme was Start Talking.
“Dialogue night is an opportunity for adults and young people to sit down, and talk about a specific topic,” Demo-Hodgins said. “And we usually give some ideas, hints about information, questions that each of the people, both adults and young people, would have to answer.
“This year we chose the topic ‘Start Talking,’ after the governor’s effort to increase conversations between parents and kids,” Demo-Hodgins continued. “We did a student survey in all of Crawford County schools last year, and 70 percent of kids from seventh through 12th grade said that their parents rarely or never talked to them about alcohol or drugs. So we really want to encourage parents to do that, and sometimes people need some direction to get that ball rolling.”
The evening began with the attendees getting into a circle and introducing themselves to the people standing next to them.
After introductions, the participants then broke into three tables of adults and students for discussion. During group discussion eight questions were asked in which people shared their answers.
Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield and County Prosecutor Matt Crall both participated in the Dialogue Night.
The ADAMH Board, in conjunction with the Opiate Task Force, will host Dr. Greg Bingham at 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the Bucyrus High School.