Founders of Worcester County Warriors Against Opiates, Heidi McNeely and Jackie Ball, hosted a meeting at the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean City on July 21 to present more information to people interested in fighting the growing drug addiction in the area. Speakers included Bernard Sarkissian from The Retreat Center demonstrating Meditation and Music Therapy as a tool in fighting addiction along with Chrissy Ehrhart from Zenna Wellness discussing Yoga and Sound Therapy. Dr. Michael Hooper discussed the new

Senator Jim Mathias addresses opiate epidemic at advocacy group’s third meeting. Produced by Gino Fanelli

The heroin epidemic is widespread across Maryland and being described as cheap, powerful, plentiful and probably in your backyard but let’s face it, this isn’t a new topic but a local group that’s fighting back is. “I wish we could be talking about the orioles or the nationals game right now. This is a tough subject that we’re here for tonight,” said Corey Hassett, a recovered opiate addict. Corey is from Berlin and he says speaking in anonymous meetings

Six months ago, two mothers who had watched their children struggle with heroin addiction stood in a conference room in the Ocean Pines Library with about 50 strangers during what was the first meeting of their new group, the Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction. Information was exchanged, tearful stories were told and a larger discussion was started by founders Jackie Ball and Heidi McNeeley about what can people do to help friends and family members struggling with addiction.

About 50 people – advocates, teachers, nurses, lawyers, parents and children of addicts, and those on the road to recovery – came to the first meeting of the Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction last Thursday at the Ocean Pines Library. Jackie Ball and Heidi McNeely, two local mothers who have watched their children struggle with heroin addiction, organized the meeting. “It makes me cry to see so many people tonight,” McNeely, a Bishopville resident, said. “I think we

As the rain poured down on Ocean City, the litany of tourists teetered onto their beach house decks. But in the high arched walls of the First Presbyterian Church, the tone was somber, filling the room of around 50 attendees. This was the third meeting of the Worcester County Warriors, a group dedicated to providing education, awareness, support and access to resources for those affected by the opioid epidemic. Heidi McNeely, a founding member of the Warriors and mother to a