“If we’re going to solve this problem, it’s through grassroots community involvement,” Christine Gardner says. “Since we held our first town hall meeting in October, people have been activated and they’re in touch with each other. The community is involved because they know now they can do something about addiction. And we’re moving forward. This is only the beginning.”

It was standing room only in the courtroom last October, when 384 people came to the Greene County Courthouse, drawn by their concern about the epidemic that was bringing addiction and death into their lives. They came to ask what could be done, and Coalition for a Brighter Greene was formed. But the months of planning, perseverance and happy coincidences that brought Gardner out of retirement to help organize that meeting and move beyond into a more hopeful future is a story in itself.

After retiring in 2011 from a career managing economic development programs and business incubators in Greene County and elsewhere, Gardner still did occasional private consulting from her home. Three years ago, she and husband Rex were living on their 200-acre farm near Jefferson and traveling whenever the mood struck when the addiction epidemic came calling. Gardner’s organizing smarts and spiritual strength were about to be put to good use.

“I helped organize a meeting of about 70 people from churches and families and we began meeting regularly,” Gardner says. “So many people have been personally touched by this epidemic. I don’t have children, but I lost a nephew to heroin. He was a straight A kid. It breaks your heart.”

Superintendents in all five school districts have made drug prevention part of the curriculum for third through ninth grades beginning with the 2016-17 school year, Gardner says. “We did the research. LifeSkills Training is the number one program in the country for results, now we have it.”

Coalition for a Brighter Greene holds quarterly meetings at the courthouse to keep the momentum going. “Our input has reached state and federal levels and additional resources are being mounted, including private and corporate dollars. The next town hall meeting is October 6, and everyone is welcome.”

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