The public is invited to attend "The Cost of Substance Abuse and the Legislative Process" and participate in a community journey looking at our local drug problems from many angles Thursday at 7 p.m. at Kaposy's located on South Main Street in Petersburg.

"Most folks I know in the tri-county area don't think we have a substance abuse problem in our area," said Grant Memorial Hospital Community Services Coordinator and President of the Grant County Family Issues Task Force Fran Welton. "But I assure you, we do and most of us don't know how to help folks or where to send them when they find their family member is dealing with a substance abuse problem."

Dr. Wayne Coombs, director of the West Virginia Prevention Center, Dr. James Albert, administrative assistant, and Delegate Harold Michael, D-47th District, will share information and have discussions about statewide plans to address substance abuse issues and how tax dollars are now being spent on this multifaceted problem. Some questions to be addressed will be:

n What are our state's major drug problems?

n What percentages of monies are utilized in combating this problem?

n How much money are businesses and industry losing due to substance abuse?

n What are some possible solutions?

n What is the West Virginia Prevention Partnership?

n How can the West Virginia Partnership aid in this local problem?

n Who should attend?

"We are encouraging all community members from across the state to attend this very important program," Welton said. "That includes family members, school personnel, mayors, town council members, county commissioners, judges, lawyers, health care providers, ministers, social workers, EMS personnel, business and industry employees, supervisors and managers, providers of services, programs and projects that assist children, youth and families.

"This is an opportunity for us to come together to hear what has happened to address this issue, what is presently happening and what needs to happen to save our children and their families from the ravages of substance abuse," she said.

The Grant County Family Issues Tack Force and the West Virginia Prevention Center are sponsors for this program. There are parking spaces behind Kaposy's and across the street, CEUs are pending and light refreshments will be served at 6 p.m.

To register for this free program, call Charlie Yakubow at 304-257-7647 or e-mail yakubow@marshall.edu.