Sixth annual overdose awareness Aug. 30

FINDLAY — Lisa Marine lost her 30 year-old daughter in 2018 to a drug overdose. In August of 2020, she held the first awareness event with a goal of saving lives. Now going into its sixth year, Marine says the event just keeps getting bigger. "Every year its been progressing," she said. "The reason why we do what we're doing is to bring awareness to addiction and suicide." Marine's daughter, Trisha struggled with a heroin addiction for ten years and was in an out of rehab to get treatment. But it wasn't the heroin that killed Trisha, it was the fentanyl the heroin was laced with. According to a fact sheet from the CDC, illicitly-manufactured fentanyl is often added to drugs like heroin because of its extreme potency. It makes street drugs more addictive and more dangerous. The fact sheet also said fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. "She went to a party her senior year and drugs were passed around," she said. This early introduction was Trisha's first experience with drugs. According to the Marine, "... It doesn't matter where you are or where you come from, if you have an addictive personality, you're going to get addicted." Marine is currently raising the two children Trisha left behind and says she doesn't want any more children to lose their parents to overdose or suicide. "We just want to share that your life matters and you can get help," Marine said. While donations are always appreciated, the free event will include a meal, a prayer, testimonies, a K-9 unit demonstration from the Findlay Police Department and a worship service. Everyone is welcome. "When the food is gone, we order pizza," said Marine. In partnership with local churches, rehab programs and law enforcement, Marine says she is expecting to feed 300 people this year. "Some come early, some stay the whole four hours and some just stay for a few hours," she said. Those wishing to donate, volunteer or wanting more information about the event are asked to contact Marine at unifiedlisa214@gmail.com. The sixth annual Unified Together in Christ Event is meant to bring awareness to lives lost to both suicide and drug abuse and prevent future deaths. It is scheduled for 4 - 8 p.m. August 30 at Riverside Park in Findlay.