Anderson, Ballard, others set to speak on issue

CHESAPEAKE — A Picnic in the Park is set for Triangle Park in Chesapeake on Friday, part of a series of events in the county aimed at fostering a discussion on the issue of opiate addiction.

The event, set for 5:30-8:30 p.m., is sponsored by Riverside Recovery and is free and open to the public.

Andie Leffingwell, with Riverside, said the group is “really excited” to bring the event to Chesapeake.

“It’s part of a series of events,” she said. “County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson and Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Andy Ballard have been hoping to continue the conversation on the issue and hosting these events.”

She said Anderson and Ballard are both set to speak at the event, along with Randy Thompson, from Lawrence County Job and Family Services, Lawrence County EMS Director Buddy Fry and Jan Rader, an Ironton native who serves as the fire chief for Huntington.

She said, in addition to food and activities for children such as inflatables, the event will serve to educate the public.

She said one event will be the use of “beer goggles,” which will allow people to see the effects of impairment on those who are intoxicated on drugs or alcohol. Participants will be asked to try to ride a bike with the goggles on, she said.

The public is encouraged to take part in the discussion.

“Anybody who wants five minutes on the microphone to discuss this issue, which affects all in the community, can speak,” she said. “Chesapeake is a small village, but it also deals with the addiction overflow from Huntington.”

Leffingwell said Riverside is also planning to take part in the People for the Point’s celebration in South Point on July 3, and will also host an informational booth at the Lawrence County Fair next month, where they are a sponsor of the festivities.