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Local, regional and national affiliated agencies
collaborated to host a seminar organized by Toledo City
Councilman Tyrone Riley. The seminar focused on effects of
addiction on the African-American and Latino families in our
community and was held on November 7, 2018 at Robinson
Elementary School on Horace Street.
The interactive and multi-face seminar opened with an
official welcome by Riley, continued with testimonies by
individuals impacted by addiction, a panel discussion with
questions and answers, refreshments for attendees and over
10 resource agencies in attendance.
One of the first testimonies offered a perspective from the
children of individuals dealing with addiction. “One day my
parent was gone. That’s why we’re having this program today,
so kids like me know they aren’t alone. So, they know, they
don’t have to go through this alone. I wish adults knew how
important supporting the kids are,” explained a
seventh-grade Robinson school student.
The final realistic testimony was delivered by David Oxner
Jr, who shared with the audience his addiction. “Addiction
took over my life. I tried it all, from cocaine to pills. I
lost 25 years of my life to addiction. I thank God today
that I’m free from addiction.”
Toi Creel of Toledo NBC 24 news served as program moderator
and led the panel discussion with audience questions. The
panel consisted of medical experts Anthony Boyer, PhD and
Kevin Strong, PhD; juvenile and adult court magistrate,
Judge Connie Zimmelman; DART officer Lt. Richard Grove and
children’s advocate Celest Hogan-Smith.
“I preside over adult and juvenile court. Almost 90 percent
of adults that I see in court are linked to addiction.
Parents, children and grandparents are affected, however the
program provided in my court does provide an opportunity for
parents and families to be reunited if parents successfully
complete the program,” shared Judge Zimmelman.
Throughout the seminar, local, regional and national
statistics on addiction and addiction related issues were
displaced on a screen.
Agencies that provided resources and information: A Renewed
Mind, Arrowhead, Area Office on Aging, Lucas County Children
Services, Lucas County Sherriff, Lucas County Health
Department, Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition, Mental
Healthy and Recovery Board, National Alliance on Mental
Health Illness, Northwest Ohio Syringe Services, Toledo Fire
and Rescue, University of Toledo Medical Center, and Urban
Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program.
Addiction statistics from 2017 and 2018 provided to
attendees: 132 opiate related deaths were reported in 2017
in Toledo; in Lucas County 84 percent of whites, nine
percent of African Americas, and seven percent of Hispanics
die from opiate-related deaths; in Lucas County 35 percent
of opiate-related deaths are linked to residents between
25-46 years of age; in Lucas County 65 percent of opiate
related deaths are males; and in 2017 more than 72,000
Americans died from drug overdoses in the United States.
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