by Brenna Zuranski, Public Relations Writer
The church鈥檚 role in the growing opioid crisis in Ohio will be addressed at the Faith Leaders Conference on Friday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Cedarville University. The event, an initiative of the (DFAA) and supported by Gov. John Kasich, will equip faith leaders to help prevent substance abuse and support those who need restoration.
颁别诲补谤惫颈濒濒别鈥檚 School of Pharmacy continues to take an active role in educating communities in Ohio about the dangers of substance abuse. A number of its doctor of pharmacy students will speak at the conference on their work with Gov. Kasich鈥檚 drug education initiative, which helped church leaders disseminate educational resources to fight the ever-increasing drug epidemic.
The conference will feature presentations from Marcie Seidel, executive director of the DFAA; Jim Joyner, Chemical Dependency Counselor Clinical Supervisor at Joyner & Associates; and Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of legendary singer Ray Charles. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine will also be on hand to speak with the press before the conference begins.
Joyner has worked with alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and training for more than 45 years. Charles inspires her audiences with stories of her struggle with drug addiction and her spiritual journey to recovery while delivering moving, life-giving music.
Lauren Bluhm, a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy student at Cedarville University, will deliver a presentation that will challenge pastors and church leaders to implement strategies of the initiative in churches across the state.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to encourage faith leaders to use the material we created as a tool to help those that are struggling with or need healing from addiction within their congregation,鈥 said Bluhm. "If it wasn鈥檛 for Cedarville supplying me with the opportunity to speak about the dangers of drug abuse and how to prevent it, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to be as active or have this platform."
According to state research, Ohio loses eight people every day to accidental drug overdose, and while many churches want to be a resource for recovery and healing, many don鈥檛 know how best to help and protect their community from the drug epidemic.
Marc Sweeney, Pharm.D., dean of the school of pharmacy, sees much significance in Cedarville hosting the event.
鈥淏ecause the governor鈥檚 office decided that the church should play an active role in prescription drug abuse, it makes sense for us to play an active leadership role in that initiative across the state,鈥 said Sweeney. 鈥淭he conference is a great way we can be an advocate of that initiative.鈥
Seidel says this is the first time the DFAA has partnered with Cedarville, and the alliance looks forward to working with the institution in the future.
鈥湴浔鸹宀拱咕北舯舯疴檚 School of Pharmacy is like-minded with our vision of promoting healthy lives through the prevention of substance abuse by arming people with information and resources about what substance abuse is, who is afflicted and how they can help,鈥 said Seidel.
It鈥檚 also the first time the DFAA has specifically targeted a faith-based community to help in the drug abuse problem.
To register for this event visit: http://www.cedarville.edu/Event/Faith-Leaders-Conference.aspx.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.
颁别诲补谤惫颈濒濒别鈥檚 School of Pharmacy continues to take an active role in educating communities in Ohio about the dangers of substance abuse. A number of its doctor of pharmacy students will speak at the conference on their work with Gov. Kasich鈥檚 drug education initiative, which helped church leaders disseminate educational resources to fight the ever-increasing drug epidemic.
The conference will feature presentations from Marcie Seidel, executive director of the DFAA; Jim Joyner, Chemical Dependency Counselor Clinical Supervisor at Joyner & Associates; and Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of legendary singer Ray Charles. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine will also be on hand to speak with the press before the conference begins.
Joyner has worked with alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and training for more than 45 years. Charles inspires her audiences with stories of her struggle with drug addiction and her spiritual journey to recovery while delivering moving, life-giving music.
Lauren Bluhm, a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy student at Cedarville University, will deliver a presentation that will challenge pastors and church leaders to implement strategies of the initiative in churches across the state.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to encourage faith leaders to use the material we created as a tool to help those that are struggling with or need healing from addiction within their congregation,鈥 said Bluhm. "If it wasn鈥檛 for Cedarville supplying me with the opportunity to speak about the dangers of drug abuse and how to prevent it, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to be as active or have this platform."
According to state research, Ohio loses eight people every day to accidental drug overdose, and while many churches want to be a resource for recovery and healing, many don鈥檛 know how best to help and protect their community from the drug epidemic.
Marc Sweeney, Pharm.D., dean of the school of pharmacy, sees much significance in Cedarville hosting the event.
鈥淏ecause the governor鈥檚 office decided that the church should play an active role in prescription drug abuse, it makes sense for us to play an active leadership role in that initiative across the state,鈥 said Sweeney. 鈥淭he conference is a great way we can be an advocate of that initiative.鈥
Seidel says this is the first time the DFAA has partnered with Cedarville, and the alliance looks forward to working with the institution in the future.
鈥湴浔鸹宀拱咕北舯舯疴檚 School of Pharmacy is like-minded with our vision of promoting healthy lives through the prevention of substance abuse by arming people with information and resources about what substance abuse is, who is afflicted and how they can help,鈥 said Seidel.
It鈥檚 also the first time the DFAA has specifically targeted a faith-based community to help in the drug abuse problem.
To register for this event visit: http://www.cedarville.edu/Event/Faith-Leaders-Conference.aspx.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.