NewsNow - 09.28.2021

DEA Issues Public Safety Alert About Counterfeit Pills, Launches “One Pill Can Kill” Campaign

The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public warning Monday that a growing number of fake pills bought online are laced with potentially lethal amounts of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, and blamed social media sites for not doing more to protect their users. The new public safety alert warns Americans that counterfeit pills, often sold on social media or e-commerce websites, increasingly contain fentanyl or sometimes methamphetamine, posing health risks beyond the dangers of buying prescription pills. The DEA has seized 9.6 million counterfeit pills already this budget year, which is more than it seized in the previous two years combined, officials said. The number of seized counterfeit pills found to contain fentanyl has jumped 430 percent since 2019. This is the first DEA Public Safety Alert since 2015, when the agency warned that agents were seeing an alarming amount of heroin laced with fentanyl. The public safety alert coincides with the launch of DEA’s One Pill Can Kill public awareness campaign to educate the public of the dangers of counterfeit pills. DEA urges all Americans to be vigilant and aware of the dangers of counterfeit pills, and to take only medications prescribed by a medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. DEA warns that pills purchased outside of a licensed pharmacy are illegal, dangerous, and potentially lethal.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose, Testing Resources from ODH

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine for fully vaccinated people at highest risk for serious outcomes to maximize ongoing protection against COVID-19. The Ohio Department of Health has published the following new COVID-19 resources:

For more information about COVID-19 testing and testing centers, click HERE. Please see section below for more COVID-19 resources and contacts.

National Academies Release Resources to Help Kids, Teens Manage Emotions During COVID-19

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a new set of online tools to help teens, kids, and parents deal with the mental and emotional impacts of COVID-19. Videos and comic strip-style illustrated stories — in both English and Spanish — guide kids and parents through classic cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and skills that can help them cope and develop healthy ways of dealing with stressful situations.

SAMHSA Seeks Feedback on Collection of GPRA Data, Deadline to Submit Comments is Oct. 1

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking feedback/comments via the Federal Register regarding revisions to the previously approved instruments and data collection activities for the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Center Mental Health Services (CMHS) (OMB No. 0930-0285) that expires on Feb. 28, 2022. Comments are due by Oct. 1.

Ohio Recovery Housing Needs Survey

Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) is conducting a new survey to better understand emerging needs in the state of Ohio for recovery housing. The survey seeks to: gather information on existing recovery housing resources; collect information on recovery housing needs; and identify barriers that exist to accessing quality recovery housing. Results will be used to identify gaps so ORH can work with its partners to advocate for resources in the areas of greatest need. ORH also intends to highlight best practices in community planning and help amplify what is working in local communities. Recovery housing operators, recovery community organizations, treatment providers and local county boards of mental health and addiction services, are invited to complete the survey by Oct. 31.

Removing the Stigma Presents Finding Strength in the Struggle – Oct. 2

Removing the Stigma (RTS) will host a virtual and in-person Finding Strength in the Struggle panel discussion on Oct. 2 from noon-2 p.m. This presentation will feature five Ohioans in recovery sharing their personal stories of how they found positive and meaningful ways to maintain good mental health by looking at mental wellness as a means to recovery. The event will include speakers, followed by a panel discussion, and a Q & A session. For more information about RTS, visit thejourney4me.com, call 1.833.stigma2 (1.833.784.4622), or email info@rtsstigma.org.

Sources of Strength Ohio Elementary Coaches Training – Oct. 4-5

The Sources of Strength Ohio team is hosting a free, virtual training session for all elementary school personnel on Oct. 4-5. Counselors and classroom teachers implementing SEL content, school based mental health professionals and Educational Service Center staff are encouraged to participate. Elementary coaches are able to implement the curriculum or can train and support the classroom instructors. Click HERE to register. For more information, please email Julie Cameron at julie@prevention-first.org.

Sources of Strength T4T Training – Oct. 19-22

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation and PreventionFIRST! will be offering a Sources of Strength T4T training on Oct. 19-22 (10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). This virtual training is for secondary school staff and community-based service providers serving students in grades 7-12. CARES Act funding has been provided to cover the full costs of training and implementation for all secondary schools in Ohio. In addition, a stipend of $125/day will be given to all training participants. CEUs for SW, CHES and OCPS will be available. Sources of Strength is an evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health awareness program proven to strengthen protective factors, increase help-seeking behaviors and reduce the risk of suicide among youth. Source of Strength is supported by OhioMHAS and the Ohio Department of Education. For more information about this program, you can visit www.sourcesofstrengthohio.org. Priority will be given to those applicants that have a school or youth based community group committed to implementing a program in the 2021-22 academic year. For more information about this training or the Sources of Strength OHIO initiative, please email Julie Cameron ( julie@prevention-first.org) or Evi Roberts (evi.roberts@ohiospf.org)

NAMI Geauga County to Host Awareness Walk – Oct. 9

NAMI Geauga County will hosts its annual NAMIWalks awareness fundraiser on Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. at Chardon High School. Click the link for more information, or email kimberly@namigeauga.org.

Mental Health First Aid Training – Nov. 10

Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations will host a virtual Mental Health First Aid training for peer recovery supporters on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? Please email Michael Krause at mkrause@ohio-pro.com.