Finding ‘hope’ for drug abusers

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Jeffersonville churches have united to help bring hope to residents who are suffering from drug addiction.

On Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., a “Hope Rally” will be held in the basement of the Masonic Lodge in Jeffersonville, which is located on South Main Street beside the Veterans Memorial. Free food and drinks will be available from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The purpose of the rally is to help both people with addictions and family or friends of people with addictions to discover where they can find help. People of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

“We had started to talk about bringing this sort of rally to the area last year but we were never able to get it planned,” Tom Knauff, pastor at Jeffersonville United Methodist Church, said. “This spring we had revisited it and have been working to get the event up and running. The main objective for the evening is to bring people in who might want help and give them help with their addictions. We are not here to condemn, we are here to help and we really hope if anyone is suffering or if you know someone suffering, that you attend to find out how to help.”

Randy Barker, pastor of the Church of Christ in Christian Union in Jeffersonville, will share how he found “help and deliverance.” Additionally, Tom Payton will offer a broad range of information and resources. Payton is the coordinator of career and counseling services at Southern State Community College. Not only is he a certified reality therapist/choice theory and a licensed professional career and mental health counselor, he also is the pastor of the Center and Spring Grove United Methodist churches.

“Sometimes people try to help and they do nothing but make it worse,” Payton said. “We will try and help everyone recognize that people use drugs for a variety of reasons, which include self-medicating for deep issues. Some use them for chronic pain. Whatever the reason, it is like they have a hole in their soul and are trying to fill it.”

Other presenters will include the Fayette County Life Squad and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.

Representatives from The Refuge will be present to share both their own personal stories of victory and how men’s lives are being changed. According to their website, The Refuge is a Christian community service organization, based in Columbus, committed to serving the men of all socio-economic backgrounds and the communities in which they live. As a Christian ministry, The Refuge is dedicated to rebuilding the lives of men, 18 years and older, who have struggled with drugs, alcohol, other addictions, or just feel hopeless and lost.

“We encourage the whole community come join us to discover how to help those suffering from addiction,” Knauff said. “Today some of of us won’t need help, but tomorrow they might. We can only offer the help and if they truly want it we will give it to them.”

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Jeff churches come together for community rally

By Martin Graham

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Reach Martin Graham at (740) 313-0351 or on Twitter @MartiTheNewsGuy

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