In a recent interview with The Tribune, Amy Smart, director of Riverside Recovery Services in Chesapeake, said a recent rash of overdoses in Huntington “could have easily,” happened in Chesapeake.

Smart was referring to the Aug. 15 incident in which EMS workers in Huntington responded to 26 heroine overdoses in within a four-hour span. It is believed that the heroin users had taken the drug that was also laced with another strong substance.

It was a shocking story that once again put the Tri-State in the national spotlight for an extremely negative reason.

But Smart was correct. That incident could have happened right here in Lawrence County. County first responders do respond to overdoses and have had to administer opioid-overdose-reversing drug naloxone.

To bring awareness to the ever-increasing drug epidemic, Riverside is hosting a Ribbons for Recovery Resource Fair from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Chesapeake Community Park. The event is free and open to the public.

Smart said 20 other agencies will be on hand, as well as guest speakers, so that should give some indication about how much support Riverside is getting for their efforts.

It is support that is direly needed for every recovery center in Lawrence County and the Tri-State.

But support from community residents is needed as well. It is a way for everyone to come together and collectively stand up against the drugs that have ravaged our neighborhoods and ruined so many lives.