Members of the western Clark County drug coalition met last Wednesday to go over their goals and form a plan for providing resources for those in the Bethel Township area who struggle with substance addiction, either directly or with a family member.
The group’s topic of discussion often centered around the family members of those who battle addiction, as the concerned parent or grandparent of an addict usually carries more burden than the addict themselves, the group said.
Comprised of local businesspeople, law enforcement officials, local and county government representatives, and residents with firsthand experience in addiction, the local drug coalition aims to be the go-to resource for those struggling in this area, as many families do not have the resources to travel to Springfield or abroad for assistance.
Last summer, the coalition held a drug symposium in an attempt to educate the public on the current face of substance addiction and modern treatments. During last week’s meeting Chief Deputy Doyle Wright of the Clark County Sheriff’s Department said he noticed that the majority of audience members at the symposium were family members of addicts who were there in search of some guidance.
“We had a lot of moms and dads there,” Wright said.
Pat Banaszak, who founded the coalition, said the concerned family members of those embattled in addiction are the primary people she wants to target, as they hold the power of helping an addict turn their life around.
“They’re who I really want to address, because they have no idea what to do,” said Banaszak. “It’s hard to admit that your child may be an addict in the first place, and even harder to try to help them.”
Wright agreed, saying that parents especially must fight their natural instincts by refusing to be enablers for their substance-addicted children. He said it is in fact tough to employ the tough love tactic, but noted that a parent’s refusal to loan their grown child money could prevent them from using it on drugs, even though they claim to need it for other reasons.
“A parent’s instinct is to help their child,” Wright said, adding that by not being an enabler, a parent can often help their child more in the long run.
By gathering local involvement from governmental, law enforcement, and educational representatives as well as maintaining a focus on prevention and recovery, the local coalition hopes to provide resources for all aspects of addiction. Banaszak said she hopes to welcome more involvement on the state level, as she has been in contact with Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office about obtaining copies of their comprehensive resource guide.
Township Trustees, City Councilmen, and Board of Education members are encouraged to become a part of the western Clark County drug coalition, which will meet on April 20 at 3 p.m. at Family and Youth Initiatives. Banaszak hopes to establish a thorough list of resources for addicts and their families through community involvement.
