What you can do to make a difference

Have you ever watched the evening news, and turned it off in frustration, anger, even disgust? Do the shootings and the drug crisis really turn your stomach, yet leave you feeling helpless and hopeless? Should you leave it to the police and the medical professionals, shrug your shoulders, and say there is nothing one person like yourself can do? Do the words of your parents or grandparents echo in your ears, "What is this world coming to?" 

Whether one person can really make a difference depends on the person and their choices. Unity Spiritual Center Westlake knows how important action is, and how knowledge plus action can change the world.

Unity Responds is a quarterly forum focusing on social issues, empowering us to take positive action steps. It is about listening, asking and acting. Focusing on the opioid problem, Unity Responds will have Thomas Stuber, adjunct professor of addiction counseling at LCC and Ashland University, as our guest speaker on Thursday, June 7, at 7 p.m. He is also president and CEO of LCADA Way, a nonprofit that cares for individuals and families struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in Lorain and Medina counties.

Stuber will discuss the science of the opioid epidemic, its impact on the individual and its impact on the community. He will also discuss treatment, and what is necessary for recovery. He will share suggestions on what families can do, and what action steps you can take to create a difference.

A free will offering will be received and shared with LCADA.

Have you ever heard a song that spoke directly to your heart? Words have power; add music to them and the power to impact and heal increases. A healing concert, "Knowledge and Music are the Anti-Drug," will be presented by F. Christopher Reynolds on Friday, June 8, 7-9 p.m. Cost is $10. Then on Saturday, June 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., a workshop, "Knowledge is the Anti-Drug," will be held. Cost is $30. All are welcome. 

Unity Spiritual Center is located at 23855 Detroit Road, Westlake.