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Kasich: $36 Million
for RX Drug Abuse Treatment and Employment
Includes Creation of 23 County Opiate Task Forces
COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich announced $36 million in new funds
to help Ohioans addicted to prescription drugs get the treatment they
need so they can get back into the workforce. Kasich made the
announcement today at a prescription drug abuse summit of drug
addiction, health care and criminal justice professionals.
“Prescription drug abuse and addiction is an epidemic that I’ve taken
head on. It’s killing people, killing families and killing
communities. Corrupt doctors are preying on people and too many
people are looking the other way. We’re going to bring it to an
end and I’ve taken a number steps to crack down on this crime. We
also need to help those who’ve fallen into the grips of addiction so
they can get treatment and get back to work, and that’s what these
funds do. I’m proud of the ADAMH boards for joining with RSC to
think creatively to make something big happen. This is a good day for
treatment. We’re bringing more hope to people who need it,” said
Kasich.
The $36 million in new drug treatment and work readiness funds are the
result of a new partnership between the Ohio Department of Alcohol and
Drug Addiction Services, the Rehabilitative Services Commission (RSC),
Ohio Department of Mental Health, and Ohio’s County Alcohol, Drug
Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Services Boards. With $9
million from Ohio’s ADAMH Boards, RSC was able to receive $27 million
in matching federal dollars.
Kasich also announced the creation of Opiate Task Forces in 23
counties. Modeled after pilot Task Forces in Fairfield and Scioto
Counties, the new Opiate Task Forces will benefit from a combination of
organizations and resources marshaled to provide education and
prevention to end the use of opiates as a drug of abuse.
Leading the effort to build a Learning Collaborative so that Ohio’s
Task Forces can learn from each other is the Ohio Association of County
Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA). OACBHA CEO Cheri L. Walter
said, “Everyone needs to feel a sense of accomplishment to believe they
are successful in life, and for many this sense of achievement comes
from meaningful employment. This opportunity for ADAMH Boards to
partner with ODADAS, ODMH, and the Rehabilitation Services Commission
to establish the Recovery to Work program will help people who need
treatment to recover and return to the workforce, thus becoming healthy
and productive Ohioans.”
Also integral to providing supportive services is the Governor’s Office
of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (GOFBCI), which is
facilitating adult mentoring and family stability services for those in
need of them. Cardinal Health has stepped forward as a business
partner to offer grant support to the statewide effort.
George Barrett, chairman and CEO of Cardinal Health, added, “Cardinal
Health believes in giving back to the communities where its employees
live and work, especially in our home state of Ohio. We are
committed to supporting health care workers, social service agencies,
non-profit organizations and other concerned citizens in Ohio to work
together to protect families and communities from the pain, loss and
devastation caused by prescription drug abuse.”
If you or a love one needs help, contact Ohio’s toll-free HELPLINE at
1-800-788-7254 or visit www.ada.ohio.gov
to learn about local treatment options.
Fact Sheets Available...
Recovery to Work and Opiate Task Forces
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