Your Voice Ohio - Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate: Community Conversations in Central Ohio

Community Conversations in Central Ohio Over the last week, journalists from the Columbus Dispatch, Newark Advocate, Marion Star, and WBNS-10TV met with over 200 community members in Columbus, Marion, and Newark to discuss the causes and possible solutions to the addiction crisis. In our past events, we’ve asked people how they’re experiencing the opioid epidemic. But we repeatedly heard the problem is much broader: Ohio isn’t just struggling with opioids, but addiction in general. Attendees agreed in all three discussions that addiction affects every demographic in society, and nobody is exempt. One participant, Catina Pitzen, said she hoped that by stepping up and sharing her story, others would be more willing to speak out and ask for help. She told the Marion Star, "Recovery doesn’t have a face or a name. It looks like anybody and everybody." Among the proposed solutions were more immediate and accessible treatment and detox programs, the decriminalization of certain drug-possession offenses, faith-based recovery, more reporting on success stories, and better mental health education. Read this week's blog for a summary of all three events, and check out the full coverage below from local journalists who attended. read the full story LOCAL EVENT COVERAGE Conversation on addiction focused on causes, solutions The Columbus Dispatch Community urged to support addicts, saying it 'looks like anybody' Marion Star Community advises more coping skills needed to combat addiction Newark Advocate WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day US Drug Enforcement Administration Suffering and abandoned: Chronic pain patients cut off in the opioid era Cleveland.com Narcan is available free to city agencies to combat overdoses Portsmouth Daily Times Solutions from local opioid forums presented to state leaders Dayton Daily News What should you do if a loved one with an addiction needs help now? Youngstown Vindicator Opioid deaths prompt Ohio to reimagine classroom lessons, starting with kindergarten Washington Post Lakewood targets opioid epidemic with innovative pilot program Project SOAR Cleveland.com GUEST COLUMN: Treatment gives addicted a new chance at real life Chillicothe Gazette Stark overdose deaths drop 27 percent Canton Repository  Ohio gets $26M federal grant to target opioid crisis Dayton Daily News Overdoses tick up as state pharmacists, Ohio governor candidates and more try to help Akron Beacon Journal Opioid treatment gap in Medicare: methadone clinics Akron Beacon Journal

How have you or someone you know been impacted by Ohio's opioid crisis? To help us better cover the issue, we want to hear from you. Share Your Story View our solutions database and community specific addiction and recovery resources.