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advocacy

Have you ever taken steps to support a cause that’s near and dear to your heart? Have you ever used your own platform to raise awareness of a societal issue that can’t fix itself? If you answered "yes" to either of those questions or have taken very similar steps, there’s a good chance you’ve participated in advocacy. Rather, you’ve been an advocate. OhioCAN advocates for the causes we serve, which are outlined in our Mission. We work to assist those impacted by substance use, who are being negatively affected by institutional systems through various means of supporting, pleading, defending, and personal testimonies. We testified and were present for the signing of the Good Samaritan Bill. We testified on behalf of the Medicaid Expansion Extension bill and Naloxone.
Good Samaritan Bill
“This law will save lives,” said Representative Sprague. “We continue to hear too many stories of individuals overdosing and being left to die alone. The 9-1-1 Good Samaritan Law will ensure that people make an effort to seek emergency assistance during a drug overdose situation, without second-guessing because of being arrested. In addition, these individuals will have a link to the treatment system. They will be able to decide if treatment is right for them, but as part of qualifying for immunity, they will have contact with a professional that can send them in the right direction.”
Medicaid Expansion
“Medicaid expansion not only lets people obtain preventive services, medications, and other health care and avoid crushing medical debt, it can literally be a matter of life and death,” said Policy Matters Senior Project Director, Wendy Patton. “Ohio is one of the states most affected by the drug crisis and Medicaid expansion has been an indispensable tool in providing treatment to those struggling with addiction.”
NALOXONE AVAILABLE OTC
(Fall 2015) Naloxone, a drug that counteracts the effects of opioid overdose, will now be available at Ohio pharmacies without a prescription. This is the result of a law signed by Governor John Kasich. Now individuals given approval by doctors or other qualified individuals in the health field can obtain the drug over-the-counter. The new law has a positive impact on Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) sites around the state, as a doctor is no longer required to be on location for a client to receive the drug. Instead, each site is simply required to create a written procedure, approved by a physician, giving staff authorization to distribute the antidote.

Ohio's "kids" ~ never forgotten

2018 "In an attempt to combat one of the worst public health crises in the nation’s history, U.S. Senate committees are now debating a varied and wide range of legislation to fight the opioid epidemic." "But the legislation, while well intended, leaves a gaping hole in federal drug policy. It does not even mention, much less engage, with the most severely disordered drug abusers. I am talking about those who are often ignored and neglected — the hundreds of thousands who are so sick they can no longer function normally in society, have lost their family and employment ties, and have few resources to get the treatment they so desperately need." "They are the ones most likely to be among the nearly 200 Americans who die every day from drug overdoses." "But the anti-opioid measures now under consideration offer little to these forgotten addicts."
We are often asked, "How many names and faces are on the ten-foot banner?" More than we ever wanted. Today there are about 5,800 precious loved ones, 800 more than died in Ohio, 2020. Our first board was created in 2015. And then there were two in 2016, three in 2017 and then Ohio was hit with the most overdose deaths on record; until 2020 when we surpassed the previous record.
Ohio's Kids travel where we do. They have attended Senate hearings and bill signings in Columbus, in addition town hall events held by then Attorney General DeWine. They appeared at Ohio Recovery Events, numerous Fed-Up events and the Unite to Face Addiction Rally in D.C, various College and Hospital Addiction Awareness lectures and symposiums. We share only their first name, age and date on the banner. We attempt to keep them alphabetized so families are able to find their loved one. We make certain that although they no longer have a voice, they continue to speak to all who see them. Ohio's Kids are a reminder that "Their Lives Mattered and will Never be Forgotten!" If your loved one is not currently on our banner, you may email a photo with their name, age and date to Cindyk@ohiocanchangeaddictionnow.org