Will New Public Awareness Campaign Curb Addiction in Ohio?

Ohio has been plagued with a serious drug epidemic over the recent past, particularly when it comes to opioids and the slew of drug overdoses that are resulting from such drug use and addiction.

In fact, the opioid epidemic in Ohio is among the worst in all of the US, with 14 deaths from overdoses — predominantly from opioids — per day in 2017.

Ohio Launches New Campaign

In response to such a scary trend, a new public Ohio drug awareness campaign is launching in the state of Ohio in an effort to discourage the use of drugs in hopes of reducing the prevalence of addiction and deaths from drug overdose.

Recently, the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County approved a $2.25 million campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the implications of drugs on society as a whole. The effort will be far-reaching and will cover several public avenues including social media, radio, and television.

In particular, the campaign is starting off by targeting prescription medication abuse by teenagers, which is a huge component of the drug overdoses Ohio has seen over the recent past.

The question is, are such campaigns effective? Are they successful at helping to reduce the number of addicts and therefore cut down on the overall number of drug overdoses?

How Effective Are Public Awareness Campaigns Against Drug Use?

Efforts like these are certainly noble. Something definitely needs to be done, and perhaps public agencies who can reach out to vulnerable individuals can have some sort of positive impact on nudging people in the right direction and steering them clear of the wrong path. These agencies certainly deserve as much help as possible.

While campaigns like these are a good start, it requires a community effort to combat these startling drug stats. Unfortunately, many cities throughout Ohio and across the nation simply do not have the resources to fight this war, despite their interest in such public awareness campaigns. That said, an increasing number of financially-backed parties are stepping up to the plate to help and are offering their resources.

While campaigns like these are definitely targeting those who may be susceptible to tampering with drugs, parents are being equally targeted. Without arming parents with the knowledge of how prevalent drugs are and how easily accessible drugs are to their teenage children, they will be at a disadvantage and will not be able to adequately prevent their children from gaining access to drugs and bringing them inside the family home. Education needs to start in the home within a well-informed and loving environment.

The ultimate goal is to educate parents and families about the illicit use of opioids and save lives at the same time. But without a community effort, campaigns like these can be inadvertently watered down.

In addition to dedicating funds and resources to public Ohio drug awareness campaigns and educational programs, a good chunk of such monetary resources would be well spent on addiction programs for those who are already hooked on drugs and are headed down a dark and dangerous path.

Where Can Ohioans Turn if They Are Already Addicted?

While Ohio drug awareness campaigns are certainly a great step in the right direction, those who are already addicted to drugs still need help. Luckily, drug and alcohol rehab centers in Ohio are located all across Ohio and are easily accessible to those who need them.

In an Ohio addiction treatment facility, addicts can safely detox from drugs and get the necessary medical intervention and counseling required to undo the habits that brought them to drugs in the first place. Further, rehab facilities in Ohio can help addicts learn healthier habits that will lead them to a better, drug-free life.

Please contact us today to learn more about how rehab can help you or a loved one overcome addiction.