DeWine released RecoveryOhio annual review

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, in observance of the state’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day today released the 2021 RecoveryOhio Annual Review, which gives a detailed overview of the work that RecoveryOhio has done to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery support efforts that address the state’s public health crisis...

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, in observance of the state’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day today released the 2021 RecoveryOhio Annual Review, which gives a detailed overview of the work that RecoveryOhio has done to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery support efforts that address the state’s public health crisis — mental health and substance use.

“As we recognize the state’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day, I am proud of the efforts underway to help those who are struggling, but more work remains to be done. My administration, RecoveryOhio, and the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council are committed to addressing the behavioral health needs in this state so that every Ohioan can live up to their God-given potential,” said Governor DeWine. “I am confident that through our continued collective and holistic efforts, Ohio can lead the nation in recovery and behavioral health services and support.”

View RecoveryOhio’s 2021 Annual Review here

Governor DeWine created the RecoveryOhio initiative and the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council in 2019 to coordinate and improve how the state addresses mental health and substance use disorders. The Council issued more than 70 recommendations in the areas of stigma, parity, workforce development, prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery supports, and data and outcomes measurement. “We’re happy to share the latest annual review for RecoveryOhio which shows the work our team has been able to achieve and continues to do for Ohioans,” RecoveryOhio Interim Director Aimee Shadwick said. “This initiative has been a priority for Governor DeWine, and we have been diligently working to help those who have a history of substance use and mental health disorders improve habits and awareness through educational efforts like the enCompass Training and our new statewide Beat the Stigma campaign.”

The accomplishments listed below highlight some of RecoveryOhio’s top priorities:

Beat the Stigma , a new statewide camp aign – created to address the stigma against people with mental illness and substance use disorders.
enCompass Training -formed through RecoveryOhio’s partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. It is open to all adults who are interested in learning more about addiction. Like CPR classes, this course is designed to help citizens build skills to better respond to someone in crisis. The next enCompass Training is on Thursday, September 8.
The Overdose Strike Team – was established in 2020 by RecoveryOhio to amplify the DeWine Administration’s focus on the rising rate of overdoses and overdose deaths in the state.
Ohio Overdose Awareness Day – Governor DeWine signed Senate Bill 30 into law last year officially designating August 31 as Ohio Overdose Awareness Day to raise public awareness and to remember the lives lost to the epidemic.

Earlier this week, Governor DeWine announced the creation of Naloxone.Ohio.gov, a new resource that provides Ohioans with a simplified process for obtaining free naloxone, a life-saving drug used to reverse an opioid overdose. The new website makes requesting naloxone as seamless as possible for all Ohioans, whether they are a first responder, community member, or distribution sites, and enhances access to prevention and treatment information.