Aaron Simmons saw the effects of heroin in the daily life around him.
A Troy firefighter, he was no stranger to ambulance calls for overdoses. As a pastor, he saw and heard of the impact, including deaths, on people and their families.
When the opportunity came up to participate in a new Miami County Heroin Coalition in early 2016, Simmons was more than willing to be involved. "Compassion compels you to do something," he said.
He's among those behind the Hope Over Heroin community event July 8 and 9 at the Miami County Fairgrounds just north of Troy on County Road 25A.
"We are taking a stand, doing something about this," Simmons said. "We rallied up the churches and said this is affecting multitudes of people, families, people who need help."
The fairgrounds activities will include music, speakers including previous heroin addicts sharing stories and information on resources and services and support. Area mental health, behavioral health, recovery services and other organizations will be on hand with professionals and churches from across the county are sending volunteers for support, Simmons said.
The free event, he said, will be kid- and family-friendly.
The heroin task force said in June that the county is seeing up to 50 heroin overdoses a month.
Some law enforcement agencies are becoming more involved, including training staff in use of Narcan, a medication used to block effects of opioids.
Miami County sheriff’s deputies and correction staff were trained in administering Narcan in May.
Chief Deputy Dave Duchak said Narcan kits were available to the department through the county Health District thanks to a grant from the state.
“We serve a rural area that sometimes has a longer response time for medics,” Duchak said of the decision to provide the training. The Narcan is available in cruisers as well as in the jail. As of late last week, the training had not been called upon.
“It was kind of a no-brainer,” Duchak said of the training and having Narcan on hand. “Our primary mission is preservation of life.”
The Troy Police Department leadership has discussed Narcan and training but has not taken steps to implement use, said Capt. Joe Long.
“We have discussed it, but the majority of time our squad beats us” to the emergency call, Long said.
Police in Tipp City have received training in administering Narcan via a video produced by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The video was recommended by the department medical director, police Chief Eric Burris said.
Officers don’t have access yet to the drug. “There is a process that can be a little lengthy since we have a DEA license the Narcan has to be added to our license before we will be carrying it. Hopefully, that will be soon,” Burris said.
Hope Over Heroin
July 8 and 9
Main event both days 7 p.m.
Miami County Fairgrounds
More information: www.hopeoverheroin.com
