Increasing the awareness of prescription drug abuse in the Tri-State.

That is the goal of a public forum to be hosted by the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lawrence Drug and Major Crimes Task Force.

The forum will be Aug. 21 at Ohio University Southern’s Bowman Auditorium.

Presenters at the forum will discuss reasons how the epidemic began, why it has flourished and offer insight about what is being done to alleviate the problem.

The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. with opening remarks by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson.

Dr. Dave Lucas of OUS will speak about the Lawrence County Wellness Initiative and drug task force director Tim Sexton will present a video.

State Rep. Dr. Terry Johnson will speak at the forum, as well as Dr. Ed Hughes of The Counseling Center in Portsmouth.

A question and answer session and light refreshments will follow.

The forum will also provide resources for those seeking help. Service providers will be able to set up tabletop presentations in the lobby of the auditorium to display resources of advice, service and support for those seeking to overcome an addiction or to those who have a loved one in need of care.

Any agency that wants to display literature should call the prosecutors office and speak with Kathy Beals at (740) 533-4414 or Jasmine White at (740) 533-4419.