Plans for anti-drug coalition progress slowly but surely

By D.A. Wilkinson

The group will look at what may bring the biggest result.

LISBON — A program to help fight Columbiana County’s growing drug problem is going to proceed slowly.

But that’s a good thing.

Kathleen Chaffee, assistant director of the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services, said Friday that the process will help avoid pitfalls. She said too much enthusiasm — or mistakes — can sink such a program.

Kristen Gish of the Drug Free Action Alliance, a federally funded program found in other Ohio counties, has been providing materials and guidance. She spoke to community leaders and law enforcement officials earlier this year.

Some 29 people who indicated interest in being members of the coalition will be invited to organizational meetings in July to establish a structure and procedures.

Chaffee said that the committee will look at “what’s going to get your biggest result.”

Instead of making an educated guess, the new group will use a process recommended by the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute for determining what the coalition wants to do and how it will do it.

Basic planning may take six to nine months.

The mental health and recovery board will use $10,000 of its funds to start the effort.

Part of the money will be used to hire a part-time coordinator. Ruth Monagle of Mineral Ridge, who is a professional facilitator, will be paid to help make sure the formation process goes smoothly.

The program will also seek free training for some coalition members through the National Coalition Academy.

Those who are selected will go to three weeks of training that will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap, a National Guard training facility, in East Hanover, Pa., in December this year, and March and May of 2009.

Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron said Friday he was pleased by the decision.

The coalition, he said, is needed. He has been speaking out about the drug problem.

Also on Friday, the county grand jury indicted Eric M. Dillard, 30, of, Wellsville on a charge of murder in the April 22 shooting death of Jamie Farley, 35, of East Liverpool, in Wellsville. Herron has declined to discuss the investigation, but he has said both men were immersed in the village’s drug culture.

Dillard’s lawyer has claimed the shooting was self-defense.

wilkinson@vindy.com