JTV will be re-running a special edition of “The Bart Hawley Show” on Monday, July 4, focusing exclusively on the community’s heroin and prescription drug abuse problem. A panel of experts joined host Bart Hawley to share information on the link between prescription drugs and abuse, crime resulting from addiction and ways to get help. In addition to experts, recovering heroin addicts tell their personal stories.
Among the guests: Congressman Tim Walberg, Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka, Jackson County Undersheriff Chris Kuhl and Mike Hirst, founder of Andy’s Angels. Mike founded Andy’s Angels following the heroin overdose of his son, Andy as a way to help other families from going through the pain the Hirst family has endured. Mike has worked closely with heroin and prescription drug abusers helping them toward recovery. He also was instrumental in establishing the annual Drug Summit, now in planning stages for its third year.
Three recovering young men, Kalen Coffelt, Adam Howe and Christopher Risner are also on the show and talk about how they became addicted and the struggles they endure daily. The three also participated in a film made by Andy’s Angels that is used in area schools, service clubs and community gatherings as an educational tool. Excerpts from the film will be shown.
Prosecutor Jarzynka has declared heroin and prescription drug abuse to be the community’s number one problem and has implemented several initiatives in the past two years aimed at reducing the problem and the deaths resulting from overdoses.
The special edition will air at 1pm on Monday, July 4th on JTV and JTV.TV, with replays at 5, 8 and 11pm and on July 5th at 2 and 5am.