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CDC Sees Link Between Overdoses, Other Mental Health Disorders

Treating and screening for non-substance-related mental health disorders could help drive down overdoses, a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.

The recently published study found that of the 63,424 people who died from drug overdoses across 43 states and Washington, D.C. in 2022, twenty-two percent had a separate mental health disorder.

Analyzing data from the CDC’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System, the researchers found that the most common disorders were depression, anxiety and bipolar. The authors noted the rates of mental health disorders are likely underestimated.

The author of the report stated that she hopes public health professionals will use the information gleaned in the study to better screen for and treat mental health disorders.

 

 

Governor DeWine Announces Findings of Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined members of the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group this morning to announce the group's recommendations for transformational change across Ohio's state and local juvenile justice system. 

"These recommendations all have merit and deserve consideration," said Governor DeWine. "All kids deserve the opportunity to live up to their full, God-given potential, including youth who are incarcerated in state or local juvenile corrections facilities. We must send these youth home with the very best chance to succeed."

Governor DeWine created the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group in November, asking group members to conduct a holistic review of juvenile justice operations at the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) and to examine the agency's partnerships with local community corrections facilities (CCFs) and county juvenile detention facilities.

Led by Tom Stickrath, chair of the National Commission on Accreditation for Corrections and a former director of both DYS and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the working group issued a report listing 26 recommendations for improvement, including several that are already in progress: 

  • The Department of Youth Services should engage in a “system transformation” with respect to the design and size of its correctional institutions by replacing its current three large facilities with numerous smaller facilities. Studies show that smaller juvenile corrections facilities are safer for both youth and staff. With funding support from the Ohio General Assembly in the current capital budget, DYS will close  its 180-bed Cuyahoga Hills facility in Cuyahoga County and replace it with four 36-bed buildings with specialized housing units. DYS intends to work with the legislature to secure additional funding to carry out the same process with its other two campuses. 

  • In addition to the 11 existing CCFs in Ohio, DYS should establish CCFs in the three counties that commit the highest number of youths to DYS, specifically Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton counties. Commitment to a CCF is preferable to state custody because youth are closer to home and better connected with family, which generally leads to better outcomes upon release. With funding support from the Ohio General Assembly in the current capital budget, DYS will establish one new CCF in one of the top three counties that commit the most youths to DYS.  DYS intends to work with the legislature to secure additional funding to place CCFs in the other two top counties in the future. 

  • The state should hire outside consultants to review operations in the three DYS facilities and a sampling of local juvenile detention centers and community correctional facilities. DYS is securing consultants with specialized juvenile justice expertise to examine operational issues surrounding use of force, separation, youth discipline and behavior management, behavioral health services, staffing and retention, and training.

  • Relevant state agencies should develop a coordinated master plan to enhance efficiency and enable better outcomes for youth. Governor DeWine has convened a group of state agencies to develop a cross-agency approach to support juveniles, particularly in terms of youth violence reduction. Led by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, agency partners will provide coordinated, targeted support focused on proactively diverting juveniles from criminal behavior.

Other recommendations from the working group encourage the Ohio General Assembly to enact changes to Ohio law that would better ensure accountability for youth who assault correctional staff; increase the minimum age of youth commitments; give judges more discretion in sentencing youth adjudicated on certain crimes; and prohibit youth adjudicated on non-violent, low-level felonies from being remanded to a DYS facility.
Governor DeWine also directed DYS to undertake many of the other recommendations listed in the report, including but not limited to:
  • developing best practices to prevent gang activity and bullying
  • creating a staff position to focus on gang behaviors and activities
  • expanding reentry support for youth upon release from custody
  • engaging local behavioral health providers to augment DYS's behavioral health services
  • developing a credible messenger program 
  • creating a parent-guardian liaison position and a DYS parent advisory board
  • expanding programming that supports staff wellness

“My primary role is to ensure my staff and youth work and live in an environment that supports opportunities for habilitation and growth,” said DYS Director Amy Ast. “The recommendations will serve as a bridge to chart our course for continuous improvement across the juvenile justice system. Ultimately, we will realize improved outcomes.”
Summaries outlining all 26 of the Juvenile Justice Working Group's recommendations can be found by reading the full report at governor.ohio.gov


MORE INFORMATION: Juvenile Justice Working Group Report

 

Suicide Prevention Month

Everyone can play a role in preventing suicide. During National Suicide Prevention Month in September, join the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to raise awareness by sharing resources that can help you recognize the warning signs of suicide and learn how to get help.

Get NIMH's Digital Toolkit
 

The Ohio Council Welcomes New Member Provider, Summit Recovery Hub

Summit Recovery Hub in Akron, OH - China Darrington, CEO, can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (330) 871-9702.

Summit Recovery Hub is a non-profit organization that provides recovery support services and peer recovery support in Summit County.

Click here to learn more about Summit Recovery Hub!

 

DEA Delays Marijuana Rescheduling Decision Until After The Election

The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled a hearing on the Biden administration’s proposal to reclassify marijuana under federal drug laws, effectively delaying the decision until after the November election. The agency scheduled a hearing on the proposed rule change for December 2, according to a report from cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment.

The proposed rule is the result of a review of U.S. cannabis policy that was ordered by President Joseph Biden in October 2022. In January 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined after a review of available evidence that marijuana was eligible for a less strict classification under federal drug laws. In the review, researchers with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that credible evidence shows that marijuana has legitimate medical uses and fits the criteria for rescheduling under the CSA. In April 2024, the DEA indicated it would approve the effort to reschedule marijuana, later issuing a proposed rule to facilitate the change under federal law.

 
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