OhioMHAS NewsNow | Ohio Distributes 1M Fentanyl Test Strips...Governor Announces Change in Reporting of Non-Fatal Overdoses...New OSAM-O-GRAM...MHA Releases Mental Health Month Toolkit...Tobacco-Free Recovery Resources...Upcoming Trainings...In the News

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health sent this bulletin at 03/26/2024 05:36 PM EDT

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Governor DeWine Announces One Million Fentanyl Test Strips Distributed Statewide

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that the State has distributed one million fentanyl test strips in an initiative to combat the opioid crisis. The strips serve as crucial tools in harm-reduction efforts, allowing users to test substances for the presence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that has been increasingly found laced in various street drugs, contributing significantly to overdose fatalities.

“By providing access to fentanyl test strips, we empower individuals to make informed decisions and potentially avert tragic consequences associated with opioid use," said Governor DeWine.

Unintentional drug overdose fatalities among Ohio residents decreased by 5 percent in 2022, totaling 4,915 deaths, while nationwide there was a marginal 1 percent rise in overdose deaths during the same period. Fentanyl was involved in 81 percent of those deaths, often in combination with other drugs.

Since April 2023, RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) have been working in cooperation to distribute fentanyl test strips. Numerous channels are being utilized, including county health departments, harm-reduction organizations, colleges, law enforcement, Project DAWN sites, and local outreach programs, ensuring broad accessibility across the state.

Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) is a network of opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution programs coordinated by ODH. By the end of 2023, Project DAWN sites had ordered 795,300 fentanyl test strips.

This landmark distribution of fentanyl test strips aligns with Ohio's broader initiative that includes providing wide access to the life-saving drug Naloxone. Naloxone, when administered during an opioid overdose (from heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain medications), blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing.

As of June 2023, 248,971 Naloxone units have been distributed to Project DAWN sites; local Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Boards; behavioral health treatment providers; health care systems; harm reduction organizations; prisons; and law enforcement organizations. In addition, the State of Ohio has installed cabinets containing free doses of Naloxone on 48 public and private college and university campuses, and more than 130 cabinets at 65 rest areas across the state.

Ohioans can order free Naloxone and fentanyl test strips to be delivered to their homes through the website http://www.naloxone.ohio.gov. For more information on resources related to harm reduction, visit recoveryohio.gov.

Visit Naloxone.Ohio.Gov

Governor DeWine Announces Change in Reporting Non-Fatal Overdoses

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine applauded a change made Monday to the state’s administrative rules that require emergency departments to report non-fatal drug overdoses to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) approved the addition of rule 3701-3-16 to the Ohio Administrative Code. The rule will take effect April 8.

The new rule will give state officials a more accurate and current view of non-fatal overdoses in Ohio. It will enhance ODH’s ability to identify trends, including repeat overdoses, and could allow for faster identification of populations or geographic areas disproportionately affected by non-fatal overdoses.

In addition, this data will be valuable in helping determine strategies and allocation of resources such as referrals to treatment or distribution of Naloxone and/or fentanyl test strips to help prevent overdoses, especially in these high-burden populations or areas.

Since taking office, Governor DeWine has placed a significant emphasis on curbing drug overdoses, expanding Naloxone accessibility by 42 percent since 2022. This proactive approach has yielded positive results, with the number of unintentional drug overdose fatalities among Ohio residents decreasing by 5 percent in 2022, totaling 4,915 deaths, while nationwide there was a marginal 1 percent rise in overdose deaths during the same period. RecoveryOhio provides access to Naloxone at no cost. Visit naloxone.ohio.gov to order this lifesaving medicine.

Read Full Media Announcement

OSAM Network Releases New OSAM-O-GRAM

The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring (OSAM) Network has announced the release of its latest OSAM-O-Gram, Stimulant Use, Race, and Naloxone Awareness, now available on the OhioMHAS website. This brief discusses fentanyl-adulterated stimulants and highlights Naloxone awareness and experiences.

Click HERE to learn more about the OSAM Network.

2024 May is Mental Health Month Toolkit

Mental Health America (MHA) has released its 2024 May is Mental Health Month toolkit. This year’s theme for Mental Health Month is “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.” MHA’s free toolkit provides fact sheets, worksheets, sample communications materials, sample social media, and more.

Download Toolkit

National Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Recovery

Use of commercial tobacco and nicotine products among persons with behavioral health conditions is significantly higher than that of the general population, but smoking cessation interventions aren’t routinely offered in behavioral health settings. Research shows that quitting smoking can improve mental health and addiction recovery outcomes.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded a five-year grant to CAI to operate The National Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Recovery, which:

Provides technical assistance, training, and educational resources to:

Integrate tobacco treatment into behavioral health care;
Promote the adoption of tobacco-free facility/grounds policies.

Convenes State Leadership Academies for Tobacco-Free Recovery to mobilize stakeholders to develop and implement a statewide action plan (to reduce the high prevalence of tobacco use by persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders).

Learn More

Upcoming Gambling Disorder Stages Training Series

Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) invites clinicians interested in becoming qualified to treat gambling disorder to its next Stages Training Series. This three-part series offers a total of 30 hours of gambling-specific education. Throughout the series, participants will learn about Ohio’s gambling services system and how to implement treatment strategies within the communities they serve.

This quarter, Stage I will run from April 10-12, Stage II will run from May 8-10, and Stage III will run from June 6-7. After completion of this three-part training, individuals and their provider agency will be eligible to receive referral calls from the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline.

Learn More and Register

MACC, Inc. 2024 Foundational Training Series

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) Inc., has announced details of its 2024 Foundational Training Series. All trainings are free and presented live, online. Click HERE for more information and to register.

Training Schedule:
April 2 | Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards
April 11 | Building Cross-Cultural Competence
April 25 | Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
May 16 | Transformative Self-Reflections

MACC, Inc. 2024 FASD Training Series

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) Inc., has released details of its 2024 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Training Series. Click HERE for more information and to register.

Training Schedule:
April 4 | Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) 101
April 16 | FASD for Teachers, Educators, and Counselors
April 23 | FASD for Child Welfare Workers
May 7 | FASD for Law Enforcement Professionals
May 14 | FASD for Foster and Adoptive Families

OPPA Annual Psychiatric Update — April 13-14

The Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association (OPPA) will host its Annual Psychiatric Update on April 13-14 at the Marriott University in Columbus. This year’s program, Re-imagining Mental Health: Innovations and Insights in Psychiatry will bring together thought leaders and experts from across Ohio and the nation, who will address important topics of interest to psychiatrists and other mental health clinicians. Psychiatry has undergone notable expansion in recent years, characterized not only by innovative advancements in treatment interventions, but also by an increased propensity for inclusion, engagement with the wider society, self-critique, introspection, and a conscientious reevaluation of conventional wisdom.

Clinicians, researchers, educators, and trainees are invited to gather for a scholarly and accessible discussion of vital subjects, including lessons in suicide prevention, the science of placebo effects, health care inequities, progressive approaches to harm reduction in involuntary care, advances in psychopharmacological management of depression and perinatal depression, nuanced examination of the ramifications of marijuana legalization on mental health, and erudite reflections on an important episode from the history of psychiatry. This conference is designed to foster thoughtful reflection into the complexities of mental health care and to enrich your psychiatric practice.

More Information and Register

Developing Competency in Mental Health Treatment for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals — Parts 1 and 2

The Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center, in partnership with OhioMHAS and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, will host a free, two-part Developing Competency in Mental Health Treatment for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals. ASL interpreters will be provided. Click the links below for more information and to register. Questions? Please email Rachel Leffel at rleffel@chsc.org.

April 15 | Part 1 View Flyer
May 17 | Part 2 View Flyer

Register

2024 ASAP Drug Summit — May 17

The Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Coalition will host its 2024 Drug Summit on May 17 at Kent State University – Trumbull Campus. Counselors, social workers, chemical dependency professionals, nurses, recovery support providers, community advocates, and anyone interested in learning about how they can impact the drug epidemic are encouraged to attend. Cost is $65. Questions? Email lthorp@trumbullmhrb.org.

More Information and Register

2024 MACC Annual Conference — May 22

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) Inc., will host its 2024 Annual Conference on May 22 at The Ohio State University Fawcett Center. This year's theme is "Transforming Care, Transforming Lives." Alan K. Nevel, CEO and Managing Partner of Interthiq, will provide keynote remarks. Dr. Edwin J. Nichols, Clinical/Industrial Psychologist, will provide luncheon remarks. Cost is $50.

More Information and Register

Deadline Extended to Submit Presentation Proposals for the 2024 Peer Recovery Summit

Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO) is accepting presentation proposals for its 2024 Peer Recovery Summit. This year’s theme is "Peer Faces: Celebrating Resiliency."

OhioPRO seeks presentations that address the following topics: resiliency for peer supporters; ethics and boundaries; human trafficking; system navigation and care coordination; trauma-informed care; cultutal competency; health and wellness; behavioral health knowledge; principles of coaching; peer support in the LGBTQ+ community; peer support for veterans; youth and young adult peer support; peer support in criminal justice settings; and self-care for peer supporters. All sessions will be approximately one hour in length. Presenters are encouraged to design their presentations to promote active participation among learners.

To submit a presentation proposal, please fill out this form. Note: The deadline to submit workshop proposals has been extended to April 10. Questions? Email uboxill@ohio-pro.com.