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By WAYNE ALLEN

PDT Staff Writer

SOLACE, in collaboration with Drug Free Action Alliance, hosted the premiere of the documentary ‘Finding SOLACE’ on Tuesday night at All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Portsmouth.

In attendance was an estimated 60 people, including representatives from the Jackson County SOLACE group, State Rep. Dr. Terry Johnson and representatives from the office of Attorney General Mike DeWine among many others.

“I’m from north of Columbus and the only thing I knew about Scioto County was that it was economically depressed. After meeting the people of SOLACE, my perception has changed,” said Tony Coder, communications director and public policy director for Drug Free Action Alliance. “Not only have you (Scioto County) done things to change attitudes, to change things in your town and county, you have done things that have changed Ohio.”

Jo Anna Krohn, director of SOLACE, said when the documentary is complete it will be used as a tool throughout the state to help communities with the problem of prescription drug abuse.

“This is the story of our loss, our struggle and our success. At the end of the video it focuses heavily on the success we’ve had as a group and as a community,” Krohn said.

She said she gets calls almost on a daily basis from other communities asking for help and support in starting SOLACE chapters throughout the state.

“Currently, there are eight SOLACE chapters throughout Ohio. We have a project lined up with mental health and recovery services of Stark County (Ohio) called Access to Recovery, SOLACE Expansion. Through this project, five northeastern Ohio counties will be starting SOLACE chapters by the end of June,” Krohn said.

Coder said there are some final improvements that need to be made to the video before it’s released to a bigger audience.

Participants of the premiere were asked to fill out questionnaires on what they liked, did not like or would change about the film.

For more information about SOLACE, visit them on Facebook.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.