Area first responders are invited to a special event for doing their part in the fight in the regions fight against the opioid crisis.

The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Adams, Lawrence and Scioto counties will have a First Responders Appreciation Day event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ironton Farmers Market on April 12.

Michele Bower, a program coordinator with the ADAMHS Board, said there are similar events throughout Ohio from April 9-13, which is a “Week of Appreciation,” set up by Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities and local partners.

The theme is “Bringing help, bringing hope. Thank you.”

“We know all the struggles that our first responders have to deal with when it comes to fighting the opioid epidemic,” she said. “And we feel like there is a great need for us to let them know how much we appreciate the time, the effort and all the struggle they go through to be able to work with the opioid crisis in our area.”

There will be food, music and booths at the event.

“We will have an appreciation too,” Bower said. “We will have Sallie Schisler, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, to say a prayer, we will have someone to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and we are hoping to have a county commissioner or Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith to read a proclamation for the first responders.”

The Lawrence County Commissioners have already done a proclamation for them.

There will also be hot dogs, chips, drinks and desserts available.

Bower said first responders could just drop in when they have a chance.

“It will just be ‘come as you are,’ just walk through and grab something to eat and socialize,” she said. “There will be tables of information available. They don’t have to stay for the whole thing. It’s just a meet and greet and to let them how much we appreciate them.”