Heroin Summit Explores Problem In FDL

Beacon House Executive Director Mary Gerlach says the Fond du Lac area has a huge heroin problem, and she’s not the only one that shares that opinion. She says that’s why they organized a heroin summit on Tuesday, March 11th at Marian University’s Stayer Center. Gerlach has been with the Beacon House for nearly 11 years and says they used to treat alcoholics with prescription drug problems, but heroin use is changing that. Fond du Lac Police Chief Bill Lamb is among the panelists and will be the first presenter. She says Chief Lamb’s goal is to educate the community about the problem and will be talking about what they are seeing. Gerlach says heroin use is a problem for the entire community because of the tangential impacts. She says that can include drug-related crimes, human trafficking, an increase in HIV and Hepatitis C. Other panelists include doctors, two who overcame addictions, a mother who lost her daughter to heroin, District Attorney Eric Toney, Carrie Nitz of the drug court and more. The program is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. that evening and is free. Sponsors are Beacon House, Marian University and the Fond du Lac Area United Way.