By Rita Price, The Columbus Dispatch
As the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County took new steps this week to fight the still-raging opiate crisis, the Columbus Foundation added support by announcing a first-of-its kind community fundraising effort to aid in the battle.
“Unfortunately, the problem has not gotten better, and it’s not going to go away anytime soon,” said David Royer, CEO of the ADAMH board.
He and leaders at the Columbus Foundation say the partnership can help hone a comprehensive community strategy and pull in more resources for education, prevention, treatment and recovery.
The foundation has never before issued a “critical-need alert” to its donors and the public that focuses exclusively on an addiction issue. But with Ohio leading the nation in opiate-overdose deaths, officials said, action is crucial.