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Recovery in the News
Ohio develops campaign to reduce stigma
Community Press
November 20, 2007
The state of Ohio has a new statewide message campaign to reduce the stigma faced by many citizens coping with drug addiction and mental illness. The campaign, "Think Outside the Stigma" was rolled out as part of a Legislative Day hosted recently by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services in Columbus.
Former Democratic Rhode Island State Senator Tom Coderre, National Field Director for "Faces and Voices of Recovery," was joined by ODADAS Director Angela Cornelius in delivering the message that alcohol and other drug addictions and mental illnesses are treatable brain diseases that can affect anyone. Members of the community in recovery, state legislators, representatives of county mental health and addiction services boards, staff from provider agencies and other advocates joined Coderre and Cornelius in bringing the message that individuals with addiction and mental illness can and do recover, and should not be discriminated against. Due to the magnitude of stigma, thousands of Ohioans are afraid to seek the treatment they need and deserve. Cornelius stated in her keynote remarks, "No one chooses to have diabetes, heart disease, cancer or a host of other diseases and thus, no one chooses to have an addiction. When Ohio reduces the stigma associated with substance abuse and mental illness, the quicker individuals can receive the services they need to live full and productive lives. The bottom line is that treatment works, people recover, and Ohioans are worth the investment."
Attending the event from Clermont County were Karen Scherra, executive director of the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board, Barbara Adams Marin, communications coordinator at Clermont Recovery Center and a member of the state-wide committee that developed the campaign and Monika Carrington from Amelia. They were able to discuss this issue with area legislators, including Rep. Joe Uecker, Rep. Danny R. Bubp and Sen. Tom Niehaus. To obtain more information on the issue of stigma and discrimination faced by community members with addiction or mental health issues, or to find about treatment options available in Clermont County, contact the Clermont Recovery Center at 732-8100 or Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board at 732-5400.
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