A panel discussion Tuesday on tackling drug and alcohol abuse in Butler County stressed two areas that are vital in combating addiction issues in our community: education and communication.

We couldn’t agree more.

Attending the symposium — sponsored by Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center — were local leaders, first responders, school administrators, and recovery and medical service providers.

Joe Mahoney, executive director of the Gaiser Center, said raising awareness about the effects of addiction is crucial to preventing it, and “education is key to prevention.”

“In the past, addiction education implied there was some moral or ethical failing of those who couldn’t toe the line and choose differently,” Dr. C. Thomas Brophy, the center’s medical director and Tuesday’s keynote speaker, told an engaged audience.

“Deceit, isolation and addiction go together like peas in a pod,” Brophy said. “It all starts with communication.”

Brophy said addiction is a community problem with a community solution.

Brian White, superintendent of Butler Area School District, said he has seen the impact vaping and marijuana have on students inside and outside of schools.

“The best prevention is talking to your child, being aware of what your child is doing, where they’re going, knowing your child,” White said.

Butler County Prison warden Joseph DeMore said 75% of inmates in the prison are jailed on drug-related charges.

Eric Hawthorn, a former Gaiser patient and recovering alcoholic, is a residential assistant and recovery specialist at the center. He told of his failed efforts at sobriety before finally coming clean.

“Anytime there was a problem, I went to alcohol,” he said. “No one was saying to stop. My addiction told me I was invincible.”

Hawthorn called the center “a spiritually uplifting place.”

“I never (allowed myself) to get out of the way; once I did, was when I became me. Today I can look in the mirror; I can work in the treatment center where I became well. I get to smile. I get to live. I get to do all of that because of you.”

If you are struggling with addiction, communicate, educate — talk about it honestly with a family member or close friend. It’s OK to admit you may have a problem. Don’t keep it inside or try to fight it alone. It’s the first step to recovery.

Butler County is fortunate to have a high-caliber facility such as the Gaiser Center, and many other drug, alcohol and mental health programs serving our community.

Use them.

–JGG