Focus on relieving local drug problem continues

Organizers of a May 5 meeting that was sponsored by the Ozark County Ministerial Alliance to discuss the drug and opioid problem that’s currently sweeping the nation – and having a severe impact on Ozark County – are working to follow up on the interest shown at the meeting.
Mary Ketcham, one of the organizers of the meeting, which was held at the Gainesville Church of Christ, said those attending the May 5 gathering were given surveys to measure their interest in working together toward easing the drug problem here. Enough persons responded favorably to the survey to keep the movement going, Ketcham said, and another meeting was held July 10.
Ozark County Health Department administrator Rhonda Suter and Sheriff Darrin Reed have said that misuse of prescription medications – improperly using them and illegally sharing and selling them – is a major problem in Ozark County. At the recent meeting, Suter told those leading the effort here that grant money is available to help communities that have organized a task force and can show that they have residents’ support for attacking their local drug problem and helping those impacted by it.
In response, the group is taking steps to form a task force and organize a committee that will work to become eligible for grant funds – and ultimately to help find local solutions to a troubling problem.
For more information about this work, or to get involved in the effort, contact Suter at the health department, 679-3334.