Organization addresses drug problem in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Monday night, more than 500 people came out to Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, to discuss, and work on some of the issues affecting the community.

Over the past two months, people from all over Lexington, have been attending small gatherings to share their personal stories about problems in the community, but they aren’t just talking, they are taking action.

B.U.I.L.D., a non-profit organization that tackles community issues, held an assembly to vote on the most pressing community concerns, and work together to help solve it.

“Once we vote on an issue we begin research and we will be meeting with experts and professionals and civic leaders throughout Lexington to get a handle on whatever issue that we choose.”

After a night full of conversation, the hot topic was the rising drug problem, and the congregation voted to steer their focus on that.

“I found out two days after it happened that a man that I seen on the street, someone I saw mowing his lawn died of a drug overdose. I think we tend to think of drug addiction and crime related to it as effecting certain neighborhoods and certain communities. What we learn when we are in this space together is that it effects all of us.”

Organizers say they will take action after the research is gathered in early May of next year.