On May 8, Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith will host a town hall meeting to address the drug epidemic currently plaguing the region.

The event, which will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at Ironton High School, will features speakers including motivational speaker and author Ron James, Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Andy Ballard and County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson.

James will speak on his personal story, which includes time in prison, and the choices he made in life.

The event, which is free of charge and open to the public, is vital to the community, as the issue of the heroin and opiate crisis has created a situation which many feel is a state emergency.

In order to best determine a solution for the problem, officials and citizens must be as informed about the issue as possible.

We encourage everyone to attend this event to learn more, share their views and take part in a much-needed discussion.