The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Hope Over Heroin returning to fairgrounds
Looking down on people struggling with addictions keeps people sick, Northeast Ohio’s Fight Against Heroin founder Amber Strnad said.
“We try to drown that out with love,” she said.
Hope Over Heroin is returning to the Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville Township Aug. 24 and 25. It’s the second year in a row the event is coming to Lake County. Strnad wants it to become an annual event.
“It’s important for families to know they’re not alone and there are resources out there,” she said.
The first Hope Over Heroin was held in 2014 after there were 14 heroin overdose deaths in one weekend in Hamilton County. Four pastors were “compelled to bring the Gospel to the streets and launched what would later be known as Hope Over Heroin’s first outreach” that summer, according to the event’s website.
“Hope Over Heroin is a collaborative faith-based ministry believing in and witnessing the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to change lives,” the website states. “While we are a faith-based organization, we recognize the importance of every resource that makes up a community’s fight against addiction. There is no singular solution.”
During the Lake County event last August, 35 people were taken directly into treatment. Strnad said they are hoping for even more this year. She added they’ve maintained relationships with those who sought treatment last year.
The event features a “City of Resources,” for those seeking treatment, recovery, grief counseling and churches, among other things. The number of resources on hand is expanded this year. New agencies on hand include Lake County Jobs and Family Services, who will be giving information on how to become a foster parent. The opioid epidemic has increased the need for foster parents across the state. More than 20,000 children in Ohio are projected to be in foster care by 2020.
Again this year there will be on-site transportation to drive people directly to treatment. There is also a safe house staffed with medical professionals to help with the detox process. Strnad said there will be more beds available this year.
There is no cost to attend the two-day event. The City of Resources opens at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24. At 6 p.m. prayer march will be held and will be followed by a memorial to those who have lost their lives battling addiction.
Those interested in submitting pictures of loved ones to appear as part of the memorial may do so through Aug. 13. Submissions can be done at hopeoverheroin.com/inmemory.
The event also features live music and testimonials from those who have overcome addiction.
“It’s important to give a platform for people who have overcome addiction and learn from them,” Strnad said.
The City of Resources opens at 7 p.m. Aug. 25.
“Success is one person helped,” Strnad said. “We hope to help as many people as possible.”