Drug Free Muskingum is hosting another understand addiction event Thursday evening.

The organization, which formed in July 2017, is dedicated to educating the public on addiction and recovery. In order to better educate the public, Drug Free Muskingum is hosting an event in Ohio University Zanesville’s auditorium with a keynote speaker who is in recovery herself.

Andrea Boxill will headline the free event that’s from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Boxill is a member of the Governors Cabinet Opiate Action Team.

Misty Cromwell from the Mental Health and Recovery Board will be talking about the Muskingum Opiate Response Team.

The event is a reflection of Drug Free Muskingum’s goal to alter the focus of addiction to a more positive side, which founding member, Sharon Silvus said is the recovery side.

Silvus said that there are a lot of misconceptions that come with addiction, and most people only focus on the negative aspects. Once the attention focus is shifted to the recovery side of addiction, the conversation becomes more positive.

Drug Free Muskingum has received a lot of good feedback from the public, and Silvus is hoping to see a turnout of 100 people at the event.

Thursday night’s event is open to the public. Social workers and counselors that attend can receive a free one-hour continuing education certificate.

The organization has about seven to 10 consistent members that attend every meeting, but many more volunteers turn out to help with events. Anyone interested in being apart of Drug Free Muskingum can attend a meeting, which is held every third Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the ISRC building. For more information, visit Drug Free Muskingum’s Facebook Page.