Connecting Columbia Union Seventh-day Adventists

This Month's Issue

Photo of Norman Carter by Kevin Cameron

Norman Carter, a member of Allegheny West Conference’s Temple Emmanuel in Youngstown, Ohio, is on the frontlines of the drug crisis. “[The opioid crisis] is a beast that’s been unleashed. … In order to stop it, you have to stop drugs, and we know that is not going to happen. I think that all we can do is be prepared to provide services to those in need,” says Carter, who kicked his crack cocaine habit nearly eight years ago, and three years ago founded the Carter House, a transitional residential program in Youngstown. 

There is a strong drug epidemic and high risk of drug overdose in the Elyria and Lorain Ohio community. In response to this, members of Ohio Conference’s Elyria church, some who are recovering from addiction, run a long-standing women's’ ministry and a brand-new men’s’ ministry to build community with those in need. See how this church is providing a warm, accepting space for healing.

The opioid and heroin epidemic is crippling communities across the nation, leaving health officials and providers, coroners, law enforcement and churches scrambling to respond to and combat this widespread crisis. Read how Adventists are helping addicts recover