The Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition gathered community members for the second annual Hope Rising premier Nov. 12 at the Quaker Cinema in New Philadelphia.
About 150 from all areas of the community attended. Two locally produced films were shown to motivate and inspire continued efforts to fight addiction. The first film challenged individuals with a call to action. Members of the community were encouraged to be part of the solution in the addiction epidemic. The video featured comments from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine where he applauded the efforts in Tuscarawas County and expressed his unwavering support for the cause.
The second video followed the rise of a local woman who regained control of her life thanks to the many people who saw her potential and invested in her. Viewers were given an intimate look at the journey of redemption for an addict.
A panel mediated by Erik Fredrickson, a recovering addict who recently celebrated a decade of sobriety, was held after the movies. The panel included New Philadelphia municipal court Judge Nan VonAllman; Rick Arrendondo, director of the New Philadelphia Business and Community Association and founder of The Ezekiel Project; Legacy Church pastor Shanda Miller; Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell; Derrick Jenkins, of the Tuscarawas County Health Department; and Natalie Bollen, Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board director.
For information: adctusc.org.
