MARYSVILLE, Ohio -- Residents in Union County are uniting to fight a growing heroin epidemic.
What began as addiction to pain killers like Oxycontin has grown into a need for the cheap drug from Afghanistan.
Mayanna is a mother of three -- and one of the many faces of the heroin epidemic sweeping through the county.
She said that because of heroin, her husband is no longer the man she fell in love with.
"It started off with just a couple of pills here and there and I thought it was no big deal -- $5 a week. I lose that much in change. It gradually turned into something more dangerous, more scary," she said.
Her husband's addition to heroin took just 18 months. During that time, he stole from family members, leaving Mayanna and their children without utilities and household furnishings.
"He and I were just a happy normal couple with our kids. We'd go to the park on the weekends. We'd go fishing," she said.
Her husband is now behind bars, facing a 45-year prison sentence.
Mayanna is joining forces with the Union County Mental Health and Recovery Board to eliminate the demand for the drug.
The Here4Hope program is aimed at the community -- specifically teenagers for whom the drug is becoming increasingly popular.
Mike Witzky , executive director of the Union County Mental Health and Recovery Board says Here4Hope relies on peer pressure to get teens and adults alike to just say no to opiate.
Officials in Union County said a large percentage of the criminal cases they're seeing are heroin-related.
During a town hall meeting on April 21, more than 100 citizens showed up voicing concerns over how much heroin has taken over the community.
Witzky says much of the campaign will focus on getting teens to say no.
In a survey of freshmen and sophomores in the county, Witzky found more teens had tried the drug than expected.
"Heroin is very addictive, so one try can easily lead to getting hooked," he said.
The Union County Mental Health and Recovery Board would like to form a community task force to look further at the problem. Those looking to be involved are asked to contact the executive director at 937-462-1212.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at stories@nbc4i.com.
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