Officials say hope exists for addicts

CELINA - County officials and concerned citizens want people to know hope exists for those struggling with heroin addiction.

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey and guest speaker Ben Budde, a recovering heroin addict, want people to hear that message during the first Night of Hope at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Lakeshore Park. The event is a county first and something Budde spearheaded after talking to Grey and other county officials.

The men spoke to reporters today about the upcoming event during a news conference at the Mercer County Sheriff's Office.

Budde and wife Missy are scheduled to talk during the event along with Grey, Pastor Randy Christian and wife Tricia and Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel. Musical acts City of Bright, Gabe Maas and the Bruins and The Remnant will perform during the event.

Night of Hope will give people hope and support in fighting addiction. It will be an opportunity to talk about the seriousness of heroin use, Budde told the newspaper.

Hope and building a relationship with Jesus Christ helped Budde overcome his addiction, he said. Budde said he's has been sober from drugs and alcohol for six years.

Trying to fight the addiction with support - spiritual or from friends and family - is key for those who want to overcome heroin addiction, Grey said during the interview.

The heroin epidemic is a national, not just local, crisis, Grey said.

Heroin use has been on the rise in the past few years because of the drug's low street price. An influx of foreign people has been smuggling the drug into America and the large supply has driven down the cost, he said.

People can also become addicted to opiates through pain medication to the point where they turn to heroin to fill the newly established addiction, Grey said.

Others are introduced to the drug by familiar people such as a boyfriend or girlfriend, he added.

Budde's heroin addiction stemmed from a feeling of being broken.

"I used heroin to fill the hole that I felt, but the hole got bigger and bigger to the point that heroin couldn't fill it anymore," he said.

Friends and family wanted to help Budde, but he didn't see their outreach immediately.

It was not until he formed a relationship with Jesus that he started making more positive changes in his life, Budde said.

People are encouraged to help those they know fight heroin addiction through positive support. It is easier for addicts to overcome dependency with a strong support group, Budde said.

It is better for those addicted to get help without law enforcement becoming involved, Grey said.

Not only does having law enforcement involved cost money but it also can lead to individuals facing felonies, which will follow them for their lives, hindering future successes. Some jobs cannot be obtained with a felony history. Employers could also look at two candidates, one with a felony and one without, and chose the person with the clean record, he said.