Richmond Mayor Dave Snow, police chief Jim Branum and fire chief Jerry Purcell took part in the one-and-a-half-hour panel at First Christian Church, 100 S. 10th St.
Stacey Steele, Drug Free Wayne County Partnership, and a representative of Meridian Health Services, which earlier this year opened a 30-bed opioid treatment program at the Richmond State Hospital, also participated in the forum.
The representatives spoke to a group of about 70 people and fielded questions ranging from drug abuse prevention, to the administering of Narcan, to rehabilitation services.
Several individuals were observed by the Palladium-Item asking additional questions of panelists after the formal session had ended.
Snow said he was encouraged by the turnout, as well as the discussion generated during the event.
"If we can continue these kinds of discussions and get this kind of involvement from our community, we can start to make a positive impact as we move forward," he said.
Here are five of the questions asked during the event, and what was said in response:
What can be done in neighborhoods to fight drug use?
Mayor Snow said he thinks having more community involvement and interaction can go a long way in suppressing and preventing use of heroin and other narcotic drugs.
His office this year began offering miniature grants, worth up to $500 for individual neighborhoods to host events to discuss drug use.