International Overdose Awareness Day: Offers hope and growth
PRESS RELEASE:
September 8, 2022
International Overdose Awareness Day: Offers hope and growth
Local communities in Lake and Geauga counties and around the world came together last month to remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), observed on the 31st of August every year, is a day that seeks to create a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.
The Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers, Signature Health and the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board partnered together to hold awareness events in Chardon, Mentor, Painesville, Willoughby, and at The Great Geauga Fair.
The highlight of the day was planting a Krauter Vesuvius Purple Leaf Plum tree at the Lake-Geauga Recovery’s Lake House location in Painesville. This mature tree was donated by the Mentor Petitti’s Garden Center in memory of those lost to a drug-related deaths. This tree joins other dedicated landscape at this location. “We believe no family should ever have to go through the pain of losing a loved one because of overdose. At Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers, we offer a nurturing environment for recovery, healing and growth and these trees signify the personal growth which our clients experience”, said Melanie Blasko, president and CEO of Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. These locations have helped thousands of Lake and Geauga county residents conquer their substance use disorders and turn their lives around.
The Signature Health locations also provided Balsam Fir tree seedlings to be planted. “Connecting with our patients and community members on their devastating experiences with opioid overdose is a powerful motivator to keep pushing forward on awareness and access,” says Anna Whitmer, CNP, Medical Director, Addiction Services, Signature Health. “We are laser focused on eliminating stigma, so that people in our community who are living with substance use disorder understand there are treatment options available, as well as life-saving medications like naloxone that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.”
The people of Lake and Geauga County took over 400 trees to be planted and joined in a global movement for understanding, compassion, and change. “Overdose can affect anybody and one of the messages of this day is that the people who lose their lives to overdose are our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters – they are loved and they are missed,” said Kim Fraser, Executive Director of the ADAMHS Board.
If you want more information or are seeking assistance call the ADAMHS Board Compass Line number at 440-350-2000, the Lake County Crisis Hotline at 440-952-8255 or text the 4hope to 741 741 and be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. The Compass Line, Crisis Hotline, and the Crisis Text Line are free, confidential, and secure so someone’s personal financial situation is never a barrier to service. Learn more at HelpThatWorks.us.
About Lake-Geauga Recovery Center: Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers is a private, non-profit agency providing continuous service to the community since 1971. The Center provides a wide range of services for adults whose lives have been affected by their own or another’s use of alcohol, drugs, problem gambling or by mental illness. Services at Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers are made possible due to the generous support of the Lake County ADAMHS Board, the Geauga Board of MHRS, and United Way of Lake & Geauga Counties.
About Signature Health: Founded in 1993, Signature Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing mental health, addiction recovery, primary care and infectious disease services to patients of all ages, regardless of ability to pay. With 11 locations in three counties across Northeast Ohio, Signature Health primarily serves Medicaid and Medicare patients and offers a sliding fee scale based on household income for patients without insurance. Committed to putting good health within reach of all our community members, Signature Health increases access to care through walk-in hours, transportation support, on-site laboratories, and on-site pharmacies with mail and delivery options. For more information about Signature Health, visit SignatureHealth.org or call 440-578-8200.
Photo owned by Lake ADAMHS and able to be used for media. 