Kim’s Walk Continues Battle with Drug Abuse

Lori Kraviec wants to mobilize the community against drug abuse – specifically opiates like heroin, methadone and OxyContin.  She knows the pain of loss and founded the Hope for Tomorrow – Kim’s Walk for Drug Prevention in memory of her daughter Kim who tragically died from an opiate overdose in 2005.

The first walk was held in 2011 and raised just over $500 for the Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs.  Last year, Lori joined forces with the ADAMH board and Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs for the walk and that partnership continues in 2013.  This year, the walk will be on Saturday, June 15, 2013.  The Marion First Church of the Nazarene is allowing the group to use their church on West Church Street as the staging point for the walk, which will conclude with a lunch at the church.

When asked why the walk is important, Lori noted, “I know that one in four teens abuse prescription drugs and that Marion has had a number of overdoses on opiates. I don’t want another parent to go through the pain of loss that I have experienced.  I want to do what I can to support programs that are trying to prevent drug use among teens.”

ADAMH Board director Jody Demo-Hodgins said, “We are walking in memory of those lost but also in support of those individuals working to recover from addiction. We believe that treatment does work and people recover.”

The group also pointed out that addressing the problem takes action and part of that must include community involvement to increase awareness.

“We also want to create awareness that prescription medication like Vicodin and  OxyContin are highly addictive. There seems to be a belief that this isn’t so because they are prescribed by a doctor but this could not be further from the truth”, states Jodi Galloway – director of Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs.

The problem of prescription drug abuse and heroin addiction spans the country.  Lori wants people to walk. She would love to see a parade of people in the red tee shirts walking east on Church Street on June 15th, but she also wants every family to have a conversation about drug and alcohol use.

“Talk to your kids. Let them know about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.  The more discussions that take place, the more likely kids are to stop and think about what they are doing”.

Registration for the walk is open until June 1st.  The fee of $20 includes a tee shirt and lunch.  For more information call 387-8531 and ask about the walk.