The following is an interview with Dr. Dan Black, a long-time , board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist at Holzer Clinic. Dr. Black is helping to coordinate a featured event on the impact of prescription drug abuse in rural America.

Q. An Important event is coming up this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bob Evans Hall at the University of Rio Grande, featuring a discussion by a national expert on drug addiction in rural America. Tell us more about that.

Dr. Black : Fred Brason — the founder of Project Lazarus,a program which originated in North Carolina, will host the discussion, speaking on the significance of, and problems created by, addiction to prescription opioid pain relievers (like methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine, tramadol, or hydromorphone)…..as well as potential community-based and family-based solutions. This will be a highly informative program that should be of interest to just about everyone.

Q. You mentioned the significance of prescription drug addiction, which is prevalent, particularly in rural areas. Give us an example of its impact.

Dr. Black : A good example, is that of a woman in the age range of 20 to 40. This demographic, is showing the highest increase of growth in narcotics addiction nationwide. During the addiction phase, these individuals tend to have multiple births, and also tend to be on supportive services medically and socially. This scenario places the children of the addict, in a position where they are victims of their mother’s addiction. Additionally – the parents of the addict also feel an incredible burden. So , although it’s one individual who is the addict, the impact of the addiction is felt on at least three generations of a family.

Q. If those who attend Thursday night’s event want more information about possible solutions to stemming the tide of drug addiction in their community, and within their families, where can they go to learn more?

Dr. Black : Our region has an excellent resource, the Gallia-Jackson-Meigs Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services. The community education coordinator of the board is Denise Martin, and the director is Ron Adkins. The board features a crisis counseling line and an informative website : www.gallia.oh.networkofcare.org. Additionally – if someone wants to learn more about the speaker at Thursday’s event, and Project Lazarus, they can visit www.project lazarus.org.