(PHOTOS BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BILL GRANT … Bill is four years sober and shared his recovery story stating that there were many times he begged his parole officer to just send him to jail until he finally went to rehab and that is where he found God.
MARY JUAREZ … Co-founder of Never Let Go Ministries shares the story of her son’s addiction.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Courthouse square was lined with 4,745 purple flags as part of Overdose Awareness Day. This represents the number of overdose deaths in Ohio and Williams County in 2023 alone.
Across the United States, there were a total of 110,000 deaths from overdose in 2023, averaging 300 per day and 12 every hour.
Never Let Go Ministries, in partnership with other agencies in Williams County, organized an overdose awareness event on Wednesday, August 28th.
The event included several speakers sharing their recovery stories, as well as others sharing stories of loved ones lost to overdose. Additionally, there were many resource tables set up at the event.
Never Let Go Ministries was established by Mary and Victor Juarez, a couple who lost their son to addiction many years ago.
Mary expressed, “Our mission is to support individuals in recovery and help them sustain their progress. Those in recovery are my source of inspiration today.”
The speakers emphasized that silence can be deadly, and that addiction must be openly discussed to eliminate the surrounding stigma.
They encouraged individuals to seek help without fear of judgment. Victor highlighted the impact on children left behind when parents succumb to addiction, urging parents to remember this consequence.
Never Let Go Ministries is hoping that by holding this event, they can save at least one life today if not more.