The heroin epidemic affecting our area has law-enforcement, lawmakers, doctors, non-profits and other concerned parties looking at ways to tackle the problem. A 2016 survey from the Indiana Prevention Resource Center shows heroin use among high school students in central and southeast Indiana counties peaks during the junior year of high school.

The Indiana Youth Institute, Brown County YMCA and Brown County Schools are hosting an event to help adults and parents learn how to help young people and families caught up in heroin addiction. This free community event will be on Thursday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Goldberg Room at Brown County High School.

Karen Little with Desert Rose Recovery, Great Life Recovery Group and Terry West with Brown County Community Corrections will speak about the causes and consequences of heroin use. Attendees will learn the role emotional trauma and pain play in the heroin epidemic, the short- and long-term impact of addiction on individuals, families and the community, and how Brown County’s legal system works with those who need help. In addition, the presentation will cover resources and services available to help those fighting addiction.