The opioid crisis has turned from focusing on the devastation to treatment and helping individuals battling addiction.

As the focus has shifted, a group approached DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker on joining a focused effort to bring local officials into a national conversation about the border crisis, which they say is the source of these drugs entering the country. Thursday morning on the WHOW Morning Show, the Sheriff says it's about getting more respected voices behind the conversation.

According to the Sheriff, rural communities want to hear from their local law enforcement officials and leaders about what is happening. He says it is a matter of gaining trust within the conversation.

Opioids continue to be an issue locally. While deaths are down, Sheriff Walker explains there is a trend they are seeing where people are using these drugs, keeping someone near with NARCAN, and then bringing them back if they need it.

The Sheriff indicates overdose cases come in waves. He points out they have a deputy within Task Force Six and they are still very active in DeWitt County. 

He says education is going to continue to be a part of curbing this epidemic.