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Michigan, Nevada and Washington prohibit most employers from refusing to hire someone based solely upon a positive drug test. (Sherry Young/Adobe Stock)

Workplace policies begin to evolve after Ohio legalizes cannabis use

By Mara O'Malley for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana in November 2023. (Konstiantyn Zapylaie/Adobe Stock)

Ohio gears up for legal marijuana sales for adult use

This week, Ohio approved adult-use marijuana sales as part of a 2023 ballot measure, with sales anticipated to start mid-June. Ohioans age 21 and …

A new survey of parents in predominantly Appalachian Ohio counties find most had positive experiences with a new social work model called Ohio Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Peer-mentor centered program helps Ohio families struggling with substance use

An evidenced-based social work model to help parents struggling with substance use stay connected to their children is offering hope to Ohio counties …

Aimee Clemson-Rich was recently honored with the 2023 PCSAO Child Advocate of the Year award. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio caseworkers strive to keep families together, reduce trauma for kids

The opioid crisis continues to plaque communities across Ohio, and according to the state Department of Job and Family Services, more than 3,000 Ohio …

Nearly four million people reported misusing prescription stimulants in 2021, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Feds Clamp Down on Telehealth for High-Risk Abuse Drugs

The federal government said it is clamping down on the use of telehealth for drugs with a high risk of abuse. Under the proposed rules, doctors will …

Ohio hospitals had more than 14,000 encounters for opioid overdoses in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Nurse to Candidates: Opioid Crisis Should be "Front and Center" in Ohio

Overdose deaths in Ohio are on track to fall below the record pace of last year, but the opioid crisis is far from over. The group Harm Reduction …

Excessive drinking is more prevalent among males than females, and adults ages 18 to 44 compared to age 45 and older. (Adobe Stock)

Going Sober in October Can Help You and Others

Ohioans are encouraged to participate in a new national challenge to improve their health and the lives of others. During the Sober October event…

Advocates say the crackdown on prescription opioids unintentionally pushed people with addictions toward illegal and more deadly drugs. (Adobe Stock)

'Dopesick' Author Speaks in Ohio: Addiction Not a Moral Failure

With more than a billion in opioid settlement dollars coming to Ohio, advocates argued it must be directed to evidence-based strategies. Ohio ranked …

Imitation prescription pills often look real but can contain fatal doses of fentanyl. (Adobe Stock)

Fake Pills Influencing Ohio's Historic Overdose Rates

Ohio's overdose crisis has been heavily linked to the use of prescription painkillers or heroin, but it is not the case anymore. Health officials now …

Ohio teens are 4% less likely to have used drugs in the past month than the average teen in the United States. (Prevention Action Alliance)">

Ohio Youth Council: Drug, Alcohol Use is Not the Norm

Hundreds of Ohio teens join together today to bust myths about teenage substance use. The "We Are The Majority" rally promotes the fact that most …

Roughly one in five minors reports drinking alcohol, although research shows underage consumption can disrupt normal growth and development. (Adobe Stock)

Underage Drinking Prevention Gets Boost from Congress

Programs designed to help curb a prevalent problem among Ohio teens are poised to get a financial boost. The $1.5 trillion spending bill passed by …

The opioid epidemic has shifted from prescription medications to heroin and now, synthetic opioids, which health experts say are much more potent. (Adobe Stock)

Harm Reduction Shines as Pathway Out of Opioid Epidemic

As the nation shifts toward ending the pandemic phase of COVID-19, another health crisis appears to be worsening. A new bipartisan Congressional …

Research suggests that the earlier in life teens use alcohol, the more likely they are to abuse it. (Adobe Stock)

Talking with Teens about Good Choices During the Holidays

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The holiday season has officially started, and one group is encouraging Ohio parents to make a special effort to check in with their …

Approximately 3% of the 1,500 students in Montgomery County who were screened for behavioral health indicators were found to be at risk of substance use. (Adobe Stock)

OH County Working to Treat Stressors that Lead to Youth Marijuana Use

DAYTON, Ohio -- An Ohio county is taking a trauma-informed approach to its work on preventing marijuana use in teens. As marijuana policy changes …

Allowing teens to voice their opinions and have make decisions builds trust, experts say.. (AdobeStock)

Talking, Trusting Key to Easing Back-to-School Stress

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With new teachers, classmates and expectations, back to school is full of uncertainties and anxieties. Stressful transitions …

Supporters say legalizing marijuana for recreational use would be an economic boon for Ohio, but opponents have concerns about health and safety. (Adobe Stock)

Recreational Marijuana on the Table Again in Ohio

By Troy Pierson / Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. As marijuana becomes more …

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about one-in-six teens who start using marijuana become addicted to the drug. (fontonize/AdobeStock)

Marijuana, Mood Disorder and Self-Harm: A Troubling Connection

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Substance misuse prevention experts in Ohio are raising the alarm about the dangers associated with marijuana use among teens with …

An outbreak of vaping-related lung injury is under investigation by the CDC. (AdobeStock)

Ohio Group Aims to Stem Surge of Marijuana Vaping Among Teens

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Groups working to prevent substance misuse said immediate action is needed to stem the surge of young people vaping marijuana…

Data show a slight uptick in marijuana-related traffic accidents in Ohio in 2020. (AdobeStock)

Medical Marijuana: Ohio Mom Warns of Dangers of Impaired Driving

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio mom whose daughter was killed in an accident caused by a marijuana-impaired driver is making it her mission to spare other …

Take-home naloxone programs are becoming more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobestock/Flickr)

Opioid Crisis: Free Kits Can Reverse Effects of Overdose

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The public health spotlight is on COVID-19, but the opioid epidemic still is a major priority in Ohio with a continued tragically …

Lots of drug-forfeiture money in Ohio is held outside of public purview. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Drug-Seizure Accounts: Who's Watching the Money?

By Bonnie Jean Feldkamp Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman Reporting for the Eye on Ohio, the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism-…

A unique program in Ohio is helping families in the children services system who are challenged by substance use disorder. (AdobeStock)

Pandemic Compounds Holiday Stress for Parents Working on Sobriety

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The pandemic is compounding the regular stresses of the holiday season, and it's an especially challenging time for Ohioans living …

As attitudes towards marijuana use change, one group is voicing concerns that Ohioans don't have all the facts. (Adobe Stock)

Marijuana and Health Risks: Do You Know All the Facts?

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With recreational or medical use of marijuana now legal in most states, one group wants to ensure that Ohioans fully understand its …

Are drug overdose deaths in Ohio starting a declining trend? (Ohio Department of Health)

Ohio Drug Overdose Deaths Fall to Three-Year Low

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- News of a drop in drug overdose deaths in Ohio is being met with cautious optimism. According to state figures, there were more …

Just 2% of Ohioans polled said a doctor's written recommendation for the use of medical marijuana. (AdobeStock)

Data Tracks Ohioans' Perceived Harm of Regular Marijuana Use

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As Ohio's medical marijuana program embarks on its second year, health-care advocates are trying to better understand the …

A District Court judge in Ohio is overseeing a collection of more than 2,500 lawsuits filed against opioid manufacturers. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Day to Opt Out of Federal Opioid Negotiating Class

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cities and counties in Ohio and across the country must decide by today whether they want to be a part of a possible multi-…

The Ohio START program uses a holistic approach to help children in the foster-care system whose parents are struggling with addiction. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio START Shows Promise in Healing Families

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An innovative program that helps heal Ohio families torn apart by addiction is expanding once again. The Public Children …

Jeff Ruby believes just one positive connection in a kid's life can change their trajectory. (Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment)

The Power of One Connection: Changing the Trajectory for Foster Kids

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio-based restaurateur Jeff Ruby of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment has wined and dined celebrities and dignitaries alike…

Ohio lawmakers must approve a biennial budget by June 30. (Aryeh Alex/Flickr)

Calls to Help Ohioans in Crisis as Budget Talks Continue

COLUMBUS, Ohio – As work continues this week on Ohio's budget, there are calls for lawmakers to prioritize funding to support Ohioans in crisis…

One-in-three Ohio adults who say they've ever tried marijuana also have smoked it in the past year. (cendeced/Adobe Stock)

Half of Ohio Adults Say They've Tried Marijuana

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As substance abuse-prevention advocates from across the state gather for an annual meeting today, a new poll reveals nearly …

Nineteen Ohio counties will be focus areas as part of a national effort to address the opioid epidemic. (NIH)

Curbing Overdose Deaths: All Hands on Deck in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio is among four states taking part in an ambitious effort to stem the tide of the opioid crisis. The state is receiving …

Several Ohio counties deemed at-risk for HIV outbreaks do not have a needle exchange program. (Todd Hufflman/Creativecommons.org)

Needle Exchanges More Than Double in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – New research examines the growth of syringe service programs in Ohio, and highlights the demand for continued support for them…

Between 2010 and 2016, opioid-related overdose deaths tripled in Ohio. (christinacorsco/Twenty20)

Opioid Crisis: The Urban/Rural Divide

COLUMBUS, Ohio – While the opioid crisis has touched Ohioans from all walks of life, some of the risk factors may not be random. In an …

Ohio is among the top five states for opioid-related deaths. (nosheep/Pixabay)

Opioids Causing More Deaths Than Car Accidents

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The opioid epidemic is hitting closer to home than some Ohioans might realize. According to the National Safety Council…

The CDC has encouraged medical providers to reduce painkiller prescriptions. (Pixabay)

New Poll Uncovers Painkiller Prescription Practices in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Many opioid addictions begin with a legitimate prescription for pain pills, and new data uncover how these medications are …

Experts say the opioid crisis has evolved from addiction to prescription pain medication and now an increase in fentanyl and methamphetamine use. (rtdisoho/Pixabay)

Addiction as a Disease: Perceptions in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Solving a problem takes understanding, and a new poll reveals insight on public opinion that could be beneficial in combating …

Ohio voters will have the final say on Issue 1, a criminal justice reform measure. (M. Kuhlman)

Addiction and Crime in Ohio Part 5: Issue 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Is Issue 1 on Ohio's November ballot a solution for both mass incarceration and the opioid epidemic? It depends on who you ask…

Experts say people who have served time behind bars struggle to find work and contribute to their communities. (Pixabay)

Crime and Addiction in Ohio, Part 4: Community Impact

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Amid the heated debate about Issue 1, a recent survey of peer-reviewed studies demonstrates the negative impact of prison on …

Researchers estimate Issue 1 would direct nearly 10,000 Ohioans from prison into community treatment. (Pixabay)

Addiction and Crime in Ohio, Part 3: The Cycle of Addiction

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With Ohio prisons overflowing and thousands dying each year because of drug overdoses, there are calls for the state to change …

Overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids skyrocketed in the United States after 2014. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Addiction and Crime in Ohio Part 2: The Opioid Epidemic

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite the public awareness of the opioid epidemic, record numbers of Ohioans are dying from drug overdoses. State data …

Ohio is among the top five states with the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths. (Pixabay)

Opioid-Fighting Efforts in Ohio Get $16 Million Boost

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio is getting a $16 million piece of a $1 billion pie to help combat the opioid epidemic. The funding announced Wednesday …

In 2015, 15,500 people with mental illness or substance-use disorders were serving time in Ohio's county jails. (Pixabay)

Mental-Health Issues an Increasing Challenge for Ohio Jails

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Researchers say access to health and social services are vital to help prevent people struggling with mental health challenges …

A new report says juvenile probation should utilize resources that support young people for the long term. (Pixabay)

Ohio Counties See Success in Positive Approaches to Juvenile Probation

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Innovative approaches to juvenile probation in Ohio are highlighted in a new report that examines ways to effectively …

Drug overdose deaths in Ohio rose nearly 30 percent between 2015 and 2016. (Cohdra/Morguefile)

Addressing Addiction in Ohio: What's Working and What's Not

COLUMBUS, Ohio — New research is assessing the extent of drug addiction in Ohio and how the state is tackling the problem. Of the adults …

Ohioans who are more educated about syringe exchanges show more support for the programs, compared with those who are less familiar. (Todd Huffman/Flickr)

Needle Exchanges Called Powerful Weapon to Fight Opioid Abuse

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With Ohio still in the grip of the opioid crisis, new data suggests better education is needed about the benefits of one harm …

The Public Children Services Association of Ohio expects that, by next Christmas, it could be 2,000 more children entering state custody because of the opioid epidemic if the current trajectory continues. (Pixabay)

Crisis in Ohio's Foster Care System Worsens

COLUMBUS, Ohio – One thousand more Ohio children will be spending their holidays in foster care this year compared with 2016 as the opioid …

Data from the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections outlines overcrowding in Ohio jails. (Keiper)

Opioids, High-Priced Bail Combine to Flood Ohio's County Jails

By Andrew Keiper Kent State-Ohio News Connection Across Ohio, opioid addiction and pretrial detention stemming from unaffordable bonds have led to a …

Efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act could make it difficult for some people with opioid addictions to get proper care. (Pixabay)

Ohioans Hopeful Emergency Declaration Curbs Opioid Crisis

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The opioid crisis plaguing states such as Ohio is officially declared a public health emergency. That announcement on Thursday by …

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OH: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention