A local mental health professional is celebrating recent data on national drug overdoses. 

Tony Kirkman, Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center, recently took a trip to Nashville to attend the Prescription and Illicit Drug Summit. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the total number of drug overdoses in the United States is down overall. 

Kirkman also notes that cannabis has been considered a gateway drug since the 70s; however, some experts say that's no longer the case. He indicates trauma is often the source of an individual getting into hard drugs, and that is what needs to be focused on. 

These statistics were very encouraging to Kirkman. He says in central Illinois, you can often feel like the work you're doing is only a drop in the bucket, but this makes all of it worth it. 

As Kirkman often reminds, recovery is possible for anyone. If you or a loved one could benefit from the services offered by the Piatt County Mental Health Center, learn more by visiting piattmhc.org.