Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services

OhioMHAS NewsNow | ONIC Issues Warning...Access to Wellness Webpage Updated...New Fatherhood Resources...Comments Sought: OCDP Rule Changes...State Health Assessment Survey...Upcoming Trainings...In the News

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services sent this bulletin at 03/24/2023 04:23 PM EDT

Friday, March 24, 2023

Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center Warns of Emojis Symbolizing Potential Drug Activity

The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) released a public safety bulletin alerting parents that emojis are being used by youth on social media and electronic communications to market, sell, and buy illegal drugs. Emojis used in drug communications commonly refer to the physical, psychological, or physiological characteristics of the drugs. The presence of these emojis in communications can be one indication of possible drug activity, though it is important to note that these meanings are not definitive and emojis can be used in other ways.

“The use of emojis in this manner is a nationwide trend, and our analysts are seeing it here in Ohio as they analyze electronic devices seized in ongoing drug investigations,” said Cynthia Peterman, ONIC Executive Director. “Although use of these emojis is most often harmless, it’s important that parents keep this alert in mind, especially if their child is showing other signs of withdrawal or drug abuse.”

Emojis can refer to specific types of drugs such as a peeled banana for oxycodone/Percocet, a step ladder for alprazolam/Xanax, a snail for fentanyl, or a palm tree for marijuana. Emojis are also used in generic ways to denote a drug dealer with an electrical outlet plug or the price of a drug by using a concert ticket stub. Other general references include using a flame, gasoline pump, or goat to depict the high potency of a drug and an astronaut, rocket, or face with an exploding brain to describe the euphoria of drug use.

To report a drug tip to ONIC, please call 1.833.OHIO.NIC (644.6642).

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Access to Wellness Program Webpage Gets a Refresh

The Access to Wellness (formerly known as Multi-System Adult Project) program webpage has a fresh, new look.

Introduced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in his SFY 2022-2023 budget, and supported by Ohio’s General Assembly, Access to Wellness works to meet the needs of adults with severe and persistent mental illness who are involved in multiple systems (i.e. Aging, Criminal Justice, Developmental Disabilities, Homelessness, and Veterans).

On this page, visitors will find a program overview, eligibility requirements, participating counties, resources, success stories, and more. Click HERE to connect with the OhioMHAS Access to Wellness team.

View the Access to Wellness Webpage

Commission on Fatherhood Introduces New Resources for Ohio Dads

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder is encouraging Ohio dads to take advantage of the programs provided by the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF), including two new programs, Fathering in 15^™ and Worldreader.

“OCF seeks to improve the well-being of Ohio’s children by helping fathers become better parents, partners, and providers,” said Damschroder. “Dads can use these resources to build and strengthen the relationships with their kids and, because they’re online, it can be done anywhere.”

Fathering in 15^™ is a free, online learning experience made just for dads and can be accessed from any computer or mobile device anytime. Topics include “Handling Emotions,” “Being a Man and Dad,” “You and Mom,” “Child Discipline,” “Grief and Loss,” and “Managing Money.”

Worldreader is a free digital library made up of books and learning activities for children and families to read together online.

OCDP Board Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule Changes

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (OCDP) Board is seeking public comment on proposed rule changes. All comments and questions should refer the Rule number(s) and be directed to the CDP Board at rules@ocdp.ohio.gov. Please be sure to cc: CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov by April 4.

Ohio State Health Assessment Survey: Disability Addendum

The Ohio Department of Health is conducting a statewide health and well-being assessment of people with disabilities. One component of the assessment is a survey of Ohioans with disabilities and/or their in-home care providers. Information collected through the survey, discussion groups and data reports will inform the development of the State Health Improvement Plan and support other agency’s planning efforts. The survey is online and anonymous. Respondents must be 18 years of age or older to participate. The last date to complete the survey (ENGLISH or SPANISH) is March 29.

Caring for the Caregiver: TIC and Provider Wellness — March 27

As part of the OhioMHAS Trauma Informed Care Training Series, the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities will present Caring for the Caregiver: Trauma Informed Care and Provider Wellness on March 27 from noon-3:15 p.m. In this training, Stanford University professor Deb Kaysen, Ph.D., will discuss specific strategies to help mitigate stress associated with providing trauma-informed care and to help build resilience. Dr. Kaysen will also provide links to free online tools that can be used to help support ongoing coping and will provide a walkthrough of the healthcare worker mental health tool Pause a Moment developed at Stanford.

Register

Voices of Recovery: Medina Town Hall — April 4

Ohio Citizen Advocates for Addiction Recovery (OCAAR) is hosting an in-person, Voices of Recovery town hall on April 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hope Recovery Community Center in Medina. The event is free and will serve as a listening session to hear from local recovery communities. Visit www.ocaar.org/events for more dates and locations as they are announced.

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Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder — April 7

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is offering a free webinar series for Ohio providers on issues related to supporting the mental health needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The second webinar in the "Bridging Mental Health and Developmental Disability Supports" series, Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder, will be held on April 7 from noon-1:00 p.m. Participants will learn how to identify conditions associated with ID and DD (including signs, symptoms, and diagnosis), and how to identify major challenges faced by adults with ID and DD (including diagnostic challenges, communication, mental health, and trauma.)

Register

OCAAR Recover Out Loud Celebration — April 19

OCAAR will host its Second Annual Recover Out Loud Celebration on April 19 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Athletic Club of Columbus. The 2023 Recover Out Loud Celebration will be a space for people in recovery and recovery supports providers from across the state to gather and celebrate recovery out loud. The event will include lunch, opportunities for education and recognition of leaders in the field statewide and nationally.

Learn More and Register

Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk-SUD Training (Athens) — April 28

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is hosting an in-person Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) for Substance Use Disorder Providers (SUD) training on April 28 at the Athens Community Center. This training will help SUD treatment providers learn how to recognize and assess suicide risk, plan for client safety, and manage the ongoing care of at-risk patients/clients. Josephine Ridley, Ph.D., AMSR Master Trainer, will educate on the effective prevention of client suicide. Click the button below for more information.

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10th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit – May 16-17

OhioMHAS, in partnership with the Ohio Departments of Developmental Disabilities and Education, will host Ohio’s 10^th Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit: Pathways to Resilience, Healing and Recovery, on May 16-17 at the Hilton Polaris, in Columbus. The Summit will feature a morning keynote speaker, Kimberly Brazwell, CEO and Founder of KIMISTRY, on May 16, and a morning plenary panel presentation featuring persons with lived experience, on May 17. Workshops will focus on workforce development, organizational leadership development, and cultural diversity. Click HERE to view the draft agenda. Registration will remain open until May 1, or until capacity is reached.

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Ohio's 2023 Opiate and Other Drugs Conference — June 5-6

The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities Foundation, in partnership with OhioMHAS and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, will host Ohio’s 2023 Opiate and Other Drugs Conference: Leading the Way Together on June 5-6 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. The conference will focus on opiates, stimulants, and other substance use disorders, specifically on efforts related to prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and more.

Register

Corrected Link: NIAAA Releases Updated “Alcohol Facts and Stats”

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has updated its Alcohol Facts and Statistics resources. Learn up-to-date facts and statistics on alcohol consumption and its impact in the U.S. and globally. Explore topics related to alcohol misuse and treatment, underage drinking, the effects of alcohol on the human body, alcohol and pregnancy, and more.

Note: A previous story on this topic included an incorrect link.

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