AG Steve Marshall to host ‘Faith Forums’ in hopes of tackling crime, addiction

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall will host four “Faith Forums” across the state in April and May in hopes of engaging religious leaders of all faiths and traditions to help confront the challenges posed by increasing violent crime, security risks at places of worship, and the opioid crisis.

“Whether Alabamians realize it or not, we are in a state of emergency on two fronts — violent crime and addiction,” said Marshall. “We have the unfortunate distinctions of ranking first in the nation for the number of painkiller prescriptions per capita, while also ranking in the top 10 of states with high violent crime rates. I firmly believe that the faith community can be part of the solution on both fronts and follow in the footsteps of my predecessor, Bill Pryor, in asking for their help.”

The Faith Forums are a byproduct of the Marshall’s service on the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council, which emphasized the need for increased community engagement, and his Initiative on Violent Crime, designed to help communities reclaim their streets and neighborhoods.

Marshall continued, “Increased outreach and engagement can be the difference maker in the life of an addict or a would-be criminal — I have witnessed that firsthand — but to be successful, we must be willing to reach outside of our own circles and fellowships. These forums will give church leaders tools and guidance on effective engagement, but also an opportunity to shares their own experiences and ideas.”

Keynoting the Faith Forums will be Shannon Royce, Director of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Robert T. Thetford, Treasurer and Operations Manager, Institute for Criminal Justice Education; and Attorney General Steve Marshall.

Faith Forum Schedule

Montgomery: April 26, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Church of the Highlands
4255 Taylor Road
Montgomery, Ala. 36116

Mobile: May 1, 2018
1 – 4:30 p.m.
Mount Hebron Church Ministries
2531 Berkley Avenue
Mobile, Ala. 36617

Birmingham: May 3, 2018
1 – 4:30 p.m.
Briarwood Presbyterian Church
2200 Briarwood Way,
Birmingham, Ala. 35243

Huntsville: May 15, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Rock Family Worship Center
3401 Holmes Avenue NW
Huntsville, Ala. 35816

Any interested members of the faith community are urged to attend one of the Attorney General’s Faith Forums. To attend a Faith Forum, please RSVP with the Attorney General’s Office by:

• Registering online at https://agstevemarshall.eventbrite.com;
• E-mailing rsvp@ago.state.al.us (please include your full name and the Faith Forum you wish to attend);
• Or calling (334) 242-7401

Watch Marshall discuss the forums below: