Upcoming Addiction Recovery Webinar

Making Impactful Connections Every Day

Each month, we highlight relink.org connections to improve outreach and educate our communities. If you would like to collaborate with our team, please reach out to our Community Engagement Director Rachel Sobitz at rsobitz@relink.org.

United Returning Citizens (URC) is a nonprofit organization in Youngstown, Ohio of formerly incarcerated individuals and allies who work together to ensure successful reentry through mentoring support services, education and employment opportunities, and civic and community involvement.

When they first began work, they identified the need for additional services and resources that are not only accessible to returning citizens, but to include the entire community whether affected by a mass incarcerated population, those who are affected by trauma-related experiences, and all citizens who are otherwise disadvantaged and disenfranchised.

URC seeks to provide a holistic approach of services to enable all citizens to become productive and contributing members of society. The services offered include financial literacy training, career building, housing, utility assistance, mentoring/coaching, and improving character and interpersonal skills through various holistic interventions.

Additional highlights about URC:

• Mentoring programs for youth ranging from 11-24 years of age.
• Monthly empowerment workshops for men and women
• Monthly expungement clinics.
• Collaborating with several Youngstown organizations, including Youngstown City Schools, Metropolitan Housing Authority, and Community Legal Aid.

If you would like to connect with United Returning Citizens, please reach out to their team at reentry@unitedreturningcitizens.org

Restore: Educate

Narcan Pop-Up Event

The County of Summit ADM Board and the Summit County Opiate and Addiction Task Force in partnership with Minority Behavioral Health Group are hosting a Narcan pop up on Friday, February 17 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. The event runs from 3:30-5:30 and volunteers are needed to help set up, staff the tent, and break down.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Amy Woodland at amyw@admboard.org.

Upcoming Webinar Presented by the Collaborative To End Human Trafficking

The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking is hosting a virtual training session entitled "Human Trafficking for Social Workers" on February 28 from 10:30-11:30AM. Social workers are eligible to receive one CEU credit for attending.

This training will provide valuable insights on the unique needs of survivors within the therapeutic space, disparities in treatment, and what a survivor really needs to be 'free'.

Appalachian Ohio Human Trafficking Report

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is supporting Christi Scott Bartman and Eyes Up Appalachia as a Health and Human Services Pillars of Prosperity Fellow. With that support, Eyes Up Appalachia was able to team with the Ohio Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers to begin the process of establishing the prevalence of Human Trafficking in Appalachian Ohio. The initial survey, with 35 agencies reporting data for those that were trafficked or at high risk of being trafficked, showed 153 total cases between Jan 1 - May 31, 2022 with 70 confirmed and 83 suspected cases. The second survey is out and the results will be compiled in February to add to the findings. In March, stakeholders will be convened to review the data and determine how it might be addressed in their communities.

Christi Bartman has been a tremendous connection for the relink.org team for years. Her initiative, Eyes Up Appalachia, does very impactful work in the anti-human trafficking community and we are grateful for all that they do.

New Synthetic Opioid Escalates the Addiction Crisis

A new synthetic opioid up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl is causing major issues in the United States (Axios).

Nitazine, a powerful new opioid that can lead to an overdose, has been found in at leas 36 states in the past 5 years. It is often laced in drugs like fentanyl and heroin and is much harder to trace than other opioids.

Last year, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a warning of the increased prevalence of nitazines in the state (Ohio Attorney General's Office). In the first quarter of 2022, the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation reported an 81% increase in nitazine cases from the previous year.

Experts say that an increase in nitazine cases across the country will worsen the opioid crisis and cause widespread issues.