Your Voice Ohio - Exploring needle exchanges in rural areas

Needle exchanges in rural areas Following rising opioid use, rural communities in Ohio are also facing increased MRSA and chronic hepatitis C infections from shared needles. In Clinton and Fayette counties, the rates of hepatitis C infections reported to the Ohio Department of Health nearly doubled in recent years. As many cases go unreported each year, the actual numbers may be much higher. In a report for the Washington Court House Record Herald, Ashley Bunton explores how needle exchanges could reduce the rate of these infections. This harm reduction strategy has faced a mixture of support and controversy around the world, and rural areas are not immune. By speaking with local residents, including people in recovery and health professionals, she examines the benefit they could provide the community and the challenges that remain.  read the full story Join us at upcoming events In just a few weeks, the Your Voice Ohio team will travel to Columbus, Marion, and Newark to host open community conversations exploring what the addiction crisis looks like, possible causes, and potential local solutions. If you live in these areas, you can RSVP to join us now! Columbus: Sunday, April 22, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Share on Facebook Marion: Monday, April 23, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Share on Facebook Newark: Tuesday, April 24, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Share on Facebook

Could stepping up disclosure of drug data help state citizens? Some Ohio cities opt to make overdose information public Eye on Ohio Daughter Strong: A Teenager Talks About The Personal Side Of Ohio's Opioid Epidemic WYSO Ohio bans ‘gag orders’ on cheaper cash prices for prescriptions Columbus Dispatch As opioids land more women in prison, Ohio finds alternative treatments PRI Opioids, infant mortality targets of MetroHealth's new community outreach efforts Cleveland.com New surge of meth, cocaine mixed with powerful opioid pushes Ohio’s drug overdose death toll higher Akron Beacon Journal  New FBI team targets online opioid sales fueling the drug crisis; Ohio man selling fentanyl among first arrests made Akron Beacon Journal Exchange of Ideas: How A Rural Kentucky County Overcame Fear To Adopt A Needle Exchange Ohio Valley ReSource New treatment program for pregnant women addicted to opioids Canton Repository Surgeon general says get naloxone. That's easy. Here's what to do. Cincinnati.com Economic cost and loss from opioid addiction staggering Canton Repository Opinion: Ordering Five Million Deaths Online  New York Times

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.