On the heels of the release of a regional task force’s recommendations on stemming the tide of opioid addiction and overdose deaths throughout Western Pennsylvania, county officials say they’ve convened their own group and intend to hold a series of public forums.

The first such event, scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Butler Intermediate High School, is focused on “fundamental questions,” surrounding the heroin and opioid epidemic.

The forum, commissioners said, will feature information on the death toll in the county, treatment resources available, the physical aspects of addiction and information about who is falling victim to the drugs.

“The main goal is education and trying to begin to take away the stigma that’s been associated with this, and highlight that it’s an epidemic with a physiological basis,” said Commissioner Leslie Osche.

The event will ask participants to answer three questions for the public: what “basic principles” should guide the county’s response to the crisis, how can they encourage community engagement, and how can the efforts be sustained over the long term?

Osche said board members held a meeting Oct. 6 that involved representatives from the county’s court system, Butler Memorial Hospital, local and state law enforcement, churches, the coroner’s office, school districts, the faith-based community and Hope for Broken Hearts, a support group for friends and relatives of overdose victims.

She said that meeting was the first step in building consensus among leaders regarding the county’s emerging response to the matter.

“Regardless of everyone’s opinions about the hows, whys and answers, it was going to be critically important for us to come together and show support,” Osche said of the message commissioners conveyed during the meeting.

In a memo announcing the Oct. 6 meeting and the forum on Oct. 27, county officials said the effort is focused on “building greater understanding of the epidemic, strengthening relationships, and building unity.”

“We only stand a chance at winning this war if we first come together as leaders,” the memo reads, in part. It is signed by county commissioners, Butler County Common Pleas Court President Judge Thomas J. Doerr, District Attorney Richard Goldinger, Coroner William Young III, Butler Eagle General Manager Ron Vodenichar and Butler Media Group President Vicki Hinterberger.

Charlene Eckert, of Hope for Broken Hearts, said last week’s meeting got things off on a positive foot with county leaders making common cause against addiction and overdose deaths — something Eckert sees as widely talked about but rarely acted upon in a concerted fashion at the county level. She wants the Oct. 27 forum to bring forth information about opioid addiction, which she sees as broadly misunderstood by the community at large.

“There’s so much misinformation out there, even among leaders in the community,” Eckert said. “What I hope people get is the beginnings of an education.”

Vodenichar said that this is a community-wide issue.

“Heroin affects all communities and all lifestyles. Bringing the problem finally into the open is a great first step. I hope we fill the auditorium on Oct. 27,” he said.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said his fear is that the epidemic hasn’t yet peaked. Last week, Young said his office had confirmed 43 overdose deaths so far this year, with five autopsies pending.

Boozel, a firefighter with the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department, says he’s concerned about people accepting the overdose and addiction rates as “the new normal,” and feeling that county government is powerless to address the issues.

“Our community is scared to death. It’s been proven to me over and over,” Boozel said. “They’re scared about this, and they don’t know where to turn for help. They don’t know who’s leading the charge against it.”

No other forum dates were announced.