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50 take part in Red Ribbon Week community walk

SHOW OF SUPPORT — Six-year-old Noah Geary gathered Red Ribbon week bracelets for himself and family members Saturday before the beginning of the community walk to show support for those fighting drug addiction. The walk, which was held at Jim Woods Park, was sponsored by the Jefferson County Adult Drug Court. Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol and other drug prevention and awareness campaign observed annually in October. Geary is the son of Kevin and Michelle Howard of Bloomingdale.

STEUBENVILLE — Some 50 people gathered at Jim Woods Park to take part in the Red Ribbon Week community walk sponsored by the Jefferson County Adult Drug Court Saturday. Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol and other drug prevention and awareness campaign observed annually in October.

Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller, who also presides over the drug court, spoke to the crowd before they took to the track. She was joined by City Manager Jim Mavromatis, who is a former DEA agent, and Kevin Howard, a drug court graduate.

Miller explained that for many, drug court is the last stop before prison or even death.

“We are at the felony level,” she said. “(For many) this is the last chance.”

Miller explained to the crowd that education is a key in the fight against addiction and part of that education is getting people to realize the impact that illegal drugs have on every aspect of a community including the job market and education.

“It impacts every single person in the community whether you know it or not,” she said.

Mavromatis spoke to the group about the need for treatment and self responsibility.

“You can not arrest yourself out of addiction,” he said. “You need treatment and you need help.”

He also pointed out that while the fight is not easy, there is help out there.

“Stay with it,” Mavromatis said. “People do care.”

Miller directed attendees to the gazebo in the park where local drug treatment programs had informational booths set up and representatives available.

“The quality of care (in this area) is second to none,” she told the crowd.

Kevin Howard, a drug court graduate, can attest to that level of care. At the age of 45, Kevin said he was an addict for most of his life, but thanks to drug court, those days are behind him. He said that one of the first things he had to do in drug court was make of list of the right choices and steps it would take to beat his illness.

“I had to do what I had to do,” he said. “It’s a great life that I have today. I got married this year.”

He joked about his friendly relationship with members of law enforcement, not something he had in the past.

“It’s funny to be talking to a police officer (instead of) seeing them in your rearview mirror,” he said.

Drug court originally started in September 2015. The program which lasts 18 months, currently has 17 active participants.

The goal of the court is for the graduate to rejoin the community as a healthy, productive member.

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