For the first time, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has identified some confiscated drugs as “rainbow fentanyl,” the deadly colorful pills designed to resemble candy that drug traffickers are using to drive addiction among young people, Attorney General Dave Yost announced this week. 

"Do not be fooled by appearances – rainbow fentanyl is death disguised as candy,” Yost said. “The bottom line is this: If you’re taking a pill that wasn’t prescribed by your doctor, you can’t be certain of what you are consuming.”

In a report issued Tuesday to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, BCI’s Drug Chemistry Laboratory said the 1,025 brightly colored pills recently seized by the sheriff’s as part of a Columbus-area drug-trafficking investigation are rainbow fentanyl. 

BCI has previously identified fentanyl in multiple forms, including colored powders, and in combination with other drugs, in drugs seized during investigations. But this analysis marks the bureau’s first instance of rainbow fentanyl, which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has warned is a deliberate effort by traffickers to mask deadly fentanyl in a form attractive to young Americans.

The deadly pills have been showing up in many states throughout the country.

RecoveryOhio has partnered with several state agencies including the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Education, and others to create two public awareness campaign focused on warning middle school, high school, and college students and their families of the dangers of counterfeit pills. Counterfeit pills have become increasingly easier to access online as well as more difficult to differentiate from real medications prescribed from a doctor. These campaigns includes social media videos, infographics, flyers, and fact sheets for families, communities, and schools to use as resources on how to have conversations with your kids about the dangers of counterfeit pills. Click HERE to learn more. 

Due to high demand, Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence, (MACC) Inc., is once again offering its Foundational Trainings in Cultural Competence Series. These virtual trainings are free, and open to all. Three CEUs are available for each session. Space is limited.  Upcoming training dates include May 25 (Understanding Trauma and Trauma Informed Care), June 12 (Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Standards), and June 22 (Understanding Racial Equity).

MACC, Inc. has also added two new trainings to its Equity in Criminal Justice training series: "Hidden Administrative Challenges" and "Practitioner Wellness and Self Care." Upcoming training dates include: May 19 (Equity in the Courts), May 30 (Equity in Law Enforcement), June 23 (Hidden Administrative Challenges), and June 30 (Self Care). 

MACC, Inc. will also present its 2023 Conference, From Advocacy to Action, on May 24 at The Ohio State University Fawcett Center in Columbus. Click HERE for details. 

In collaboration with Athens HOPE and NAMI Athens, Southeast Ohio Trauma Informed Care Collaborative (SETICC) is excited to present a screening of Resilience with a panel discussion to follow on May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Athens Cinema. Resilience is a powerful, hour-long documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the movement to treat and prevent toxic stress.

Panelists include:

• Shari Blackwell: Substance Use Navigator, OhioHealth
• LeeAnn Brooks: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II
• Ron Luce: Former director of the John Clem Recovery House
• Jane Riley: SAMI Coordinator, Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare
• Tina Trimmer: Executive Director, NAMI Athens
• Facilitator: Jennifer Schwirian, Clinical Services Director at Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare and Chair of SETICC

The event is free, but you must reserve tickets in advance. Click the button below. 

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) will host a Suicide Prevention in the Black Community Summit on June 27 from 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at The Ohio State University Fawcett Center in Columbus. During the summit, community leaders, healthcare providers, and public officials from across the state will come together to learn about the factors that contribute to suicide in the Black community and walk away with next steps that will change how we approach suicide prevention going forward. The summit will highlight cutting-edge strategies and resources to help facilitate, strengthen, and increase capacity and support resiliency to address suicide in the Black community in a culturally responsive way. We are grateful for your partnership and thank you for your dedication to suicide prevention. Registration is free for OSPF members and $25 for non-members. A CE Application has been submitted for continuing education for prevention, social work, and psychologists.