The Four County ADAMhs Board approved a $20,000 allocation for the Multi-Area Narcotics (MAN) Unit at its November 14 board meeting.
The funding will supplement a federal grant that the six county unit had already received through the Ohio office of Criminal Justice Services to launch a community education component of the MAN Unit’s enforcement responsibilities.
Specifically, the new substance abuse and mental health liaison position attached to the MAN Unit will focus on duties such as: responding to fatal and non-fatal overdoses, providing education presentations to the community, networking with local ADAMhs-funded treatment agencies, and interfacing with Jobs and Family Service offices and resource officers in area school systems.
Tonie Long, ADAMhs Board CEO, explained that the liaison will not only connect individuals who are apprehended by the MAN Unit to mental health and substance use treatment, but also family members who live with them.
“We simply look at this investment with the MAN Unit as another way of getting people connected to care,” Long said.
Two other area ADAMhs Boards within the MAN Unit’s jurisdiction are also contributing $5,000 per county to help fund the unit’s liaison position.
Long also told the board that work on a new five year strategic plan is on schedule for completion. A committee of board members and staff will prepare a written draft next month based on the input that has been provided.
The goal is to have a five year plan ready for full board discussion and possible approval at the January board meeting.
