Charlotte Wethington speaks to Owensboro-Daviess County community

Charlotte Wethington was invited to be a special guest at the Community Solutions for Substance Abuse General Quarterly meeting on Tuesday, November 16^th, 2004 in Owensboro. Community Solutions for Substance Abuse is a community coalition whose focus is substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. She spoke to members about Casey’s Law and P.A.R. (People Advocating Recovery). She passionately told her son’s story which prompted Charlotte’s work to seek help for others who have gone through what she and her family endured. She explained the law, changes that need to be made and how to be come involved in P.A.R. The following morning, she met with three District Court judges in Daviess County and Community Solutions members to review the law. She sought input on administrative changes needed, concerns and comments regarding the law. This was helpful to Charlotte as she prepares to make amendments. Additional feedback from the judges prompted next steps that should be done to educate county attorneys and other judges in surrounding counties once amendments have been made to the law.

Bob Darling, President of the Coalition, and Debbie Zuerner Johnson, Director, have attended P.A.R. meetings and have been learning about the organization. They are actively seeking participation from their community members. Community Solutions held their first Recovery Event during National Recovery Month in September. They held a rally on their Courthouse lawn where over 40 people attended. Participants learned what National Recovery Month was; its importance and why Community Solutions urges citizens to become involved in supporting recovery services. A balloon lift-off took place to honor those who are in recovery. A special roundtable discussion followed at Brescia University. It is the coalition’s hope that a P.A.R. chapter could be developed in Owensboro-Daviess County.