Gweedo's Purple Shamrocks hosts event in Elkhart

ELKHART, Ind. - Gweedo’s Purple Shamrocks, a Michiana non-profit, is battling a problem that has devastated countless lives and has torn apart many families.

The drug epidemic is sadly no stranger to our community, but Saturday, a little flavor, color, and music were all brought together in an effort to ultimately save lives.

“I’ve been expecting to hear about her death for years," said Sandy Megner, an Elkhart mother.

For the longest time, Megner has always felt that the worst was coming.

On September 29, 2014, it almost did. 

Megner's daughter was arrested on County Road 4 after she was busted for her role in a meth lab.

“Somebody approached me I didn’t know her she said are you Sheriff Rogers you saved my daughters life," said Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers.

“Not often do we get someone coming up to us and saying thank you for arresting my daughter," added Rogers.

But that arrest in 2014, didn’t stop a life, it continued it.

And in honor of a different life that tragically ended in 2016, and did not continue, following a drug overdose, Gweedo’s Purple Shamrock’s hosted a "Paint the Plaza Purple" event on Saturday at Elkhart's Civic Plaza to raise awareness about the drug epidemic.

“It's important because this opioid addiction and just the drug abuse and overdose awareness is important for our community it’s a community problem," said Sheriff Rogers. 

“This county needs someone to fight for people addicted," said Megner.

For information on resources to help fight drug addition and for more information on Gweedo's Purple Shamrocks, click here.