Ohio sheriff presenting heroin forum at branch campus

CINCINNATI (AP) — A southwest Ohio sheriff is putting on a heroin forum as authorities pledge to work together while seeking community help against the deadly epidemic.

The Hamilton County sheriff’s office is leading the Tuesday evening session at the University of Cincinnati’s suburban Blue Ash campus. The gathering is aimed at spreading the word about the region’s heroin and opioid problems and presenting information about what’s being done in prevention, treatment and law enforcement.

Sheriff Jim Neil says authorities “can’t do it alone” and need the public’s help.

The Hamilton County Heroin Task Force, sheriff’s office and representatives of police departments from various cities in the county gathered Friday in Cincinnati in a show of a unified effort to fight heroin.