Lisa Hamilton-Green, community educator at Summit County Children Services and the driving force behind Wednesday’s Meth Lab Community Forum, calls meth “a serious and destructive community issue” that runs counter to her organization’s mission of trying to build and preserve families.
“The problem with meth and other drugs isn’t going away,” Children Services spokesman Chris Vasco said. “It’s important that people experience firsthand and get the word out on what a scourge this is to families and children.”
The free event is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, sponsored by Children Services and the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board at Akron-Summit County Public Library auditorium, 60 S. High St., in downtown Akron.
Also on hand will be Akron Police Lt. Brian Simcox and Officer Chris Crockett, part of the department’s Clandestine Unit, who arrested Apryl Miller when she was using meth and are now cheering her in her sobriety; recently retired Summit County Sheriff’s Capt. Hylton Baker; and Becky Mundy, education coordinator at Akron Children’s Hospital’s Burn Center, which has seen more injuries because of meth lab fires and explosions.
Also participating will be Children Services’ executive director, John Saros, and ADM board executive director Gerald Craig.
— Jewell Cardwell