KENTON COUNTY, Ky. -- For months, volunteers in Northern Kentucky have taken the fight against the heroin crisis into their own hands by hanging informational cards on front doors to connect addicts with resources.
They've already combed through areas like Fort Mitchell, Independence and Crestview Hills, and now officials say their efforts are working.
"I think too often people do want help and they have no idea where to go," said Chris Hamilton, director of Northern Kentucky services at the Addiction Services Council of Cincinnati. "I get calls all the time, especially parents saying I've called everybody in the state and I can't find anything anywhere and we're able to help get their loved one into treatment."
Organizers ask anybody who'd like to help put door hangers on 6,000 homes in Crescent Springs and Villa Hills this weekend to show up at 9 a.m. Saturday at River Ridge Elementary School in Villa Hills (2772 Amsterdam Road).
Additionally, Kenton County has created a 24/7 regional heroin helpline to provide quick response for people in need at 859-415-9280. St. Elizabeth Medical Center experienced 1,548 overdose emergencies in 2016, over 200 drug-related deaths and more than 100 babies born to addicted mothers, proving the crisis strikes every area of Kenton County, regardless of socio-economic profile.
Kenton County Judge Kris Knochelmann and Mayors Lou Hartfiel of Crescent Springs and Butch Callery of Villa Hills will be in attendance at the event.
"We need to do all we can to eradicate the scourge of heroin. Crescent Springs hates heroin," Hartfiel said.
"We need to support people in recovery and those who are addicted by informing them that a helpline is available. If only a few people use it, we may save a life," Callery added.
The event is sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, Planning and Development Services of Kenton County and the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
Click here for more information about the Addiction Services Council. For more of WCPO's coverage on the Tri-State's heroin epidemic, visit wcpo.com/heroin.
