There probably are very few churches in the Tri-State that have not been touched by drug abuse and addiction.

Families within the congregation may need help dealing with a struggling son or daughter, and in too many cases, churches have held services for those who died from an overdose.

Pastor Tim Dixon of First Congregational United Church of Christ thinks it is time for area clergy to become better prepared to deal with the rising drug problem. Working with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and other groups, he is spearheading a forum to provide clergy with the information and contacts they need to make a difference.

“Churches, synagogues and mosques have been on the front line of any challenge our community has faced,” Dixon said recently. “Our purpose is for faith leaders to be prepared to (help address) problems and help families who are sitting in our pews.”

The Mayor’s Clergy Drug Summit is planned for noon Tuesday, May 19, at Pullman Plaza Hotel, with help from the United Way of the River Cities and the Cabell-Huntington Health Department and others.

The program will supply pastors with a “clearing house” of substance abuse-related information and resources, as well as discussion and suggestions about roles that churches can play. Read more…