Anti-meth forum grows to new site
10/20/05
Susan Kirkland
The overwhelming response to the forum against methamphetamine and illegal drugs has led the sponsors, Citizens Against Methamphetamine and Other Addictive Substances, to change venues to the Calhoun Civic Auditorium from the Depot.
“We’ve invited the mayors of local communities, councilmen, and commissioners to come,” said Matthew Blackstock, chairman of the group. "This gives everyone an unbiased environment to learn about the drug problem in Gordon County."
Blackstock said that a panel featuring different agencies would answer specific questions from a moderator and then questions from the audience.
Agencies represented are George Shirilla or Judge Jack Partain, Conasauga Drug Court; Dr. Brent Box, internist; Dr. Joseph Joyave, pediatrician; Dottie Jarrett, Gordon County Department of Family and Children Services; Jim Moon, Murray County Department of Family and Children Services; Daniel Morrison, Hazmat / Gordon County Drug Task Force; Clent Harris, Gordon County Jail; Beth Peters, Gordon County Domestic Violence Outreach Office; Bud Owens, Gordon County Emergency Management; Dr. John Bledsoe, Calhoun Counseling Center; Citizens Against Meth Board member; and recovering addicts.
"A lot of people don’t know the extent drugs affect the community," Blackstock said. "We want the community to know how serious this is."
In addition to the panel, recovering addicts have volunteered to be on hand to talk about life in addiction and the road to recovery.
"That’s where the hope is," Blackstock said. "So many people have family or friends struggling with addiction, and you just want to throw up your hands and give up on them. But when you hear (the addicts) share their stories, it brings hope back."
The Citizens Forum Against Methamphetamine and Illegal Drugs is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium, next to Calhoun High School.