(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that he will host his second statewide meeting dealing with Ohio's opioid crisis. "Ideas in Motion -- Fighting Ohio's Drug Epidemic" will bring together community leaders and public officials to discuss methods to combat the problem. In 2015, deaths from unintentional overdose rose by more than 20 percent from the previous year.
"We cannot fight this epidemic alone. It takes law enforcement, community leaders, the medical community and our faith-based organizations to do it together," DeWine said. "This year's meeting will continue to collaborate on and share successful strategies from communities across the state."
This year's event will provide a central location for social service providers, public safety officials, and others to learn more about successful programs and develop new ideas. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend this year, with representation from each of Ohio's 88 counties. Panelists and presenters are coming from each region of the state.
Topics on the agenda include:
- How the state and local communities are working to establish a continuum of care that will assist individuals struggling with addiction from detox to recovery.
- How anti-drug coalitions are finding new and effective ways to collaborate with law enforcement, mental health providers, and hospitals to save lives.
- How the criminal justice system is responding through law enforcement task forces, drug courts, and the prosecution of drug dealers.
Ideas in Motion – Fighting the Drug Epidemic in Ohio
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017
Registration: 8 a.m.
Meeting: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fellowship Baptist Church
4701 Winchester Pike
Columbus, OH 43232
To register for the meeting visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/OpiateCrisis.
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Media Contacts:
Lisa Peterson: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840