War Against Drugs Coming to Renovo
by Barbara Mastriania
RENOVO – The Advocates for a Drug Free Renovo are advancing their war against drugs and moving westward to Renovo.
The Advocates are planning two events in Renovo. The first is a movie, “Anonymous People,” an award-winning cinematic event. The movie will be shown at the Western Clinton Community Center on St. Clair Avenue in Renovo at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22. The movie will be followed by a local panel discussion on the dangers of drug abuse. The event is free and open to the public.
A second event, a town hall meeting, will be held Wednesday, May 20 the recreation center at 7 p.m.
Waging war on drugs in Renovo is timely as law enforcement officials continue their probe into drug activity in Clinton and Lycoming Counties, including the recent arrest of seven people in a federal case.
The Advocates are a group of individuals, agency representatives, government leaders, social workers, religious leaders and people in recovery. They held major public events last year, creating some momentum. They are hoping to build on that energy this year.
The Advocates have played an increasing role in creating a forum for education, a clearinghouse for information, and a supporting cast for those in recovery. It is a society of concern for the addicted throughout Clinton County.
A subcommittee continues to meet Tuesdays at noon at Crossroads Counseling in Lock Haven to iron out additional details, which will be firmed up in the near future. Several Renovo area pastors, educators and others have been contacted and expressed interest in participating. The idea is to make these two affairs a Renovo-area focus rather than a road trip event for Lock Haven area.
The partnership of people from many walks of life primarily focuses on educating the public to the dangers of illegal drug use, and advocates for programs to offer hope for better lifestyle choices, especially among the young.
Jennifer Reeder, a spokesperson for the group, said it was an outgrowth of a series of meetings by board members for the West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission. They saw the need to enlist the entire Clinton County community in the effort to combat its growing drug problem and to promote total public awareness. Reeder said.
The Advocates meet on a monthly basis. The focus in recent times has been on the problem of abuse of prescription drugs, and the Advocates have developed several programs to combat that trend, including the creation of a drop-off program so citizens can rid themselves of potentially dangerous prescription medications they might find in their medicine cabinets. There is also a permanent drop-off box established in the Garden Building at Jay and Main streets in Lock Haven, as well as seasonal programs where substances can be dropped off at local hospitals and other locations.
The mission statement: The Advocates for a Drug Free Tomorrow promote community education, prevention and recovery options. The group also supported legislation establishing the first-ever statewide database for prescriptions that could be addictive.
