The Ross County Commissioners met with four representatives of local health and community assistance organizations to start planning for a new fund. Kevin Coleman was at the commissioners' Monday meeting.
The State of Ohio sued opioid drug manufacturers and distributors a few years ago, and the OneOhio Recovery Foundation is the result.
Dr. John Gabis, president of the Hope Partnership Project, explained that they were thinking strategy: how to use the funds to improve the health and well-being of those with opioid and substance use disorder in the community without duplicating efforts.
Other leaders present were Penny Dehner, Executive Director of the Paint Valley ADAMH; Julie Bolen of the Ross County Community Action Commission; and Kelly Dennis, Director of Health Promotion and Quality Improvement of the Ross County Health District.
All agreed to meet again after the new year.
The amount for Ross County is not finalized, but was said to be in the $80,000 to $90,000 range per year for 18 years. All agreed that it wasn't much for their needs, but it's something, and will be a sustainable fund to draw from.
Ross is only one county of Region 9 of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, which also includes Adams, Brown, Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike, and Scioto.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom or Kevin Coleman