Drug forum in Hamilton offers addicts treatment options

The Butler County Opiate Task Force (OTF) held a forum Friday at the Miami Hamilton campus in the Wilks Conference Center to discuss treatment options and ways addicts can seek treatment in order to get better.

With the heroin epidemic growing and substance abuse at record levels, health officials said it was a critical information session that will help the public gain valuable information on how to seek treatment.

Presenters at the public session included treatment providers throughout Butler County talking about what kind of treatment their organization provides, whether they take insurance, the protocol for admission and their philosophy of treatment.

Lauren Marsh, director of the Butler County Coalition for Healthy, Safe and Drug Free Communities, explained that the forum was helpful to those seeking to learn more about how to get help with drug addiction.

“It was a very good turnout today, and the speakers did a good job of talking about where to for help if you need it,” she sahd. “Addiction is a disease. Education about addiction and why prevention is necessary is an important element for our entire community to begin to understand.”

Marsh added that the forum could not have come at a better time since unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2014 stood at 2,531, while in 2015 the number jumped to 3,050, according to data from the Ohio Department of Health.

Those figures coincided with what Butler County Coroner Dr. Lisa Mannix reported to the Journal-News. She stated that 189 people died from drug overdoses in 2015 in Butler County, and 149, or 79 percent, were heroin-related — including heroin, fentanyl or a combination of both.

Brandy Slavens, director of marketing and programming for Access Counseling Services in Middletown, explained that there are many different treatment options available for people trying to get over an addiction.

She said that “Middletown and the surrounding communities become debilitated by the war on drugs. We are working together as a community to embrace what we know will be a brighter future.”

Kim Guy, director of business development for Beckett Springs in West Chester, discussed different paths addicts can take to get well.

Guy noted that, “addiction is a powerful and difficult condition to treat. We approach addiction through medical intervention (detoxification), where appropriate, followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation program.”

Julie Payton, senior director of addiction services with the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board, said addiction doesn’t know any age or race and it is important to reach out and get help when you become addicted to drugs.

“Addiction cuts across all walks of life, so we are pleased to see education offered to the community,” she said. “We had over 100 people show up, and this was very important information for the public.”

To contact Becket Springs call (513) 817-0712 or email beckettspringsinfo@spsh.com. For Access Counseling Services, call 513-649-8008. A complete list of local rehab addiction facilities and treatment centers can be obtained by calling the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board at 1-844-427-4747.

GETTING HELP

Nine providers plus the Heroin help line attended the forum so those in need can find help:

Access Counseling Services -Middletown

Beckett Springs Hospital – West Chester

Community Behavioral Health – Hamilton, Middletown

DeCoach Rehabilitation Center – Fairfield

Heroin Hope Line – Butler County Crisis Line

Lumiere Healing Center – West Chester

Modern Psychiatry and Wellness – Hamilton, West Chester

Sojourner Recovery Services – Hamilton

Stateline Treatment Center – Ross

The Next Right Thing - Middletown

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