Ross County's Operation Bridge 2025 tackles substance use disorder
Ross County community partners recently conducted a two-day outreach event to combat substance use disorder and related crimes while providing recovery resources and support to residents.
According to an announcement, Operation Bridge 2025 took place April 23-24 and involved multiple organizations, including the Chillicothe Police and Fire Departments, Ross County Community Action, Ross County Health District (RCHD), Ross County Sheriff's Office, Recovery Ohio and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The event focused on education, enforcement and treatment. The outreach fair, coordinated by RCHD Epidemiologist and Health Promotion Programs Lead Liberty Merriman, was held at the Armory Gym in Yoctangee Park, offering mental health and treatment services.
Narcotic and K-9 units made proactive enforcement contacts, while social workers and peer supporters conducted home visits and were on call for officers during the event.
In total, 417 successful contacts were made, with 65 naloxone kits and 131 fentanyl test strips distributed. Six individuals were connected to treatment, and another six were referred to treatment.
Ross County Health Commissioner Janelle McManis highlighted the success of the event as a continuation of the county's recovery community partnerships.
'I'm proud to announce that Ross County saw a decrease in overdose deaths in 2024, with 36 lives lost,' McManis said. 'While the loss of any life is tragic, this represents a reduction in overdose fatalities from previous years, and it highlights the positive impact of the collective efforts being made by community organizations, including the Health District, to address substance use disorder.'
In September 2024, there was a two-week period with no reported overdoses, partly due to community outreach efforts.
Naloxone distribution is a key component of prevention work in Ross County. In 2024, there was a 52.5% increase in naloxone kits distributed, totaling 2,752 kits through various channels.
Peer support programs also play a crucial role in supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorder. In 2024, there were 3,092 interactions with peer supporters, with 137 individuals referred to treatment through these interactions.
Efforts to reach young people in the community include evidence-based school programming. RCHD's SUD Program Coordinator Paige Baxter educated 909 students during the 2023-2024 school year about the risks of substance use.
Ross County recovery partnerships have been recognized for their hard work. In January 2025, the Ohio Deflection Association awarded Ross County's Post Overdose Response Team the Outstanding QRT Outreach and Engagement Initiatives Award for a Medium-Sized Community.
'We are proud of the progress we've made, but recognize that the work is far from over,' McManis said. 'Every day we continue to partner with local organizations, engage with individuals and families, and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce harm and support recovery in Ross County.'
To order your naloxone kit through RCHD's Project DAWN program, call 740-779-9652 or email projectdawn@rosscountyhealth.org.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct or share your thoughts at http://bit.ly/3RapUkA with our News Automation and AI team.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: 417 contacts made during Ross County Operation Bridge 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Associated Press
Crossroads Treatment Centers Receives 2025 South Carolina Top Workplaces Award
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Organization Honored for the Second Consecutive Year GREENVILLE, S.C., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crossroads Treatment Centers (Crossroads), a national provider of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment with seven locations in South Carolina, announced today the esteemed recognition as a 2025 South Carolina Top Workplace. This annual award recognizes companies in the state for creating a positive and engaging work environment using employee feedback. Crossroads was among only a few workplaces to receive the honor, marking its second consecutive year of earning the award. 'We're extremely proud to have cultivated an environment where our teammates feel appreciated and fulfilled,' said Jonathan Foust, Chief People Officer at Crossroads. 'We wouldn't be able to provide the high caliber of care to our patients and communities if it weren't for every single one of our dedicated teammates, and it's important that they know how deeply we value their work.' Earlier this month, Crossroads celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting its growth over the last two decades, with more than 100 treatment centers across nine states. The organization provides personalized treatment plans for individuals with SUD using a combination of medication and behavioral health therapies. 'Creating a workplace where teammates are passionate about their job and empowered to make a difference has allowed us to grow and expand access to even more patients who need our care,' said Rupert McCormac IV, MD, Founder and CEO of Crossroads. 'Evidence to the strength of our culture and caring for each other, the Crossroads team was also recently recognized by USA Today as a 2025 Top Workplace.' The South Carolina Top Workplace list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling respected, supported and enabled to grow. 'Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,' said Eric Rubino, CEO at Energage. 'That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces does this, and it pays dividends.' The Top Workplace accolades are testaments to the hard work of leaders and team members and their collective dedication to cultivating and maintaining a great work environment for the past 20 years. About Crossroads Treatment Centers Since 2005, Crossroads has been at the forefront of treating patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Currently operating 100+ centers across nine states (GA, KY, NJ, NC, PA, SC, TN, TX and VA), we are a family of doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors and professionals dedicated to providing the most accessible and highest quality treatment options to combat the growing substance use epidemic. We create individualized treatment plans that use evidence-based medication-based recovery support and behavioral health therapies to help those with SUD pave their paths to recovery. The outcomes are often lifesaving and lead to significantly improved lives for our patients, their families and their communities. To learn more about Crossroads, visit us here. About Energage Making the world a better place to work Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit or Media Contacts: Crystal Fuller Morley [email protected] Corrie A. Fisher [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Crossroads Treatment Centers
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ross County's Operation Bridge 2025 tackles substance use disorder
Ross County community partners recently conducted a two-day outreach event to combat substance use disorder and related crimes while providing recovery resources and support to residents. According to an announcement, Operation Bridge 2025 took place April 23-24 and involved multiple organizations, including the Chillicothe Police and Fire Departments, Ross County Community Action, Ross County Health District (RCHD), Ross County Sheriff's Office, Recovery Ohio and the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The event focused on education, enforcement and treatment. The outreach fair, coordinated by RCHD Epidemiologist and Health Promotion Programs Lead Liberty Merriman, was held at the Armory Gym in Yoctangee Park, offering mental health and treatment services. Narcotic and K-9 units made proactive enforcement contacts, while social workers and peer supporters conducted home visits and were on call for officers during the event. In total, 417 successful contacts were made, with 65 naloxone kits and 131 fentanyl test strips distributed. Six individuals were connected to treatment, and another six were referred to treatment. Ross County Health Commissioner Janelle McManis highlighted the success of the event as a continuation of the county's recovery community partnerships. 'I'm proud to announce that Ross County saw a decrease in overdose deaths in 2024, with 36 lives lost,' McManis said. 'While the loss of any life is tragic, this represents a reduction in overdose fatalities from previous years, and it highlights the positive impact of the collective efforts being made by community organizations, including the Health District, to address substance use disorder.' In September 2024, there was a two-week period with no reported overdoses, partly due to community outreach efforts. Naloxone distribution is a key component of prevention work in Ross County. In 2024, there was a 52.5% increase in naloxone kits distributed, totaling 2,752 kits through various channels. Peer support programs also play a crucial role in supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorder. In 2024, there were 3,092 interactions with peer supporters, with 137 individuals referred to treatment through these interactions. Efforts to reach young people in the community include evidence-based school programming. RCHD's SUD Program Coordinator Paige Baxter educated 909 students during the 2023-2024 school year about the risks of substance use. Ross County recovery partnerships have been recognized for their hard work. In January 2025, the Ohio Deflection Association awarded Ross County's Post Overdose Response Team the Outstanding QRT Outreach and Engagement Initiatives Award for a Medium-Sized Community. 'We are proud of the progress we've made, but recognize that the work is far from over,' McManis said. 'Every day we continue to partner with local organizations, engage with individuals and families, and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce harm and support recovery in Ross County.' To order your naloxone kit through RCHD's Project DAWN program, call 740-779-9652 or email projectdawn@ This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: 417 contacts made during Ross County Operation Bridge 2025
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Three Mississippi hospitals approved for rural program
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) said three Mississippi hospitals have been approved to participate in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The hospitals are Greenwood Leflore Hospital (GLH), Magee General Hospital and Wayne General Hospital. Whooping cough cases are rising again in the US 'We've worked very hard for years to give these hospitals greater federal support to ensure that they stay open to serve rural Mississippians. It hasn't been easy, but being part of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program will allow them to receive more beneficial reimbursements, which is important to keeping their doors open,' said Hyde-Smith. In early March, Hyde-Smith and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) sent a letter to CMS strongly supporting Greenwood Leflore's RCHD application, in which they argued why Greenwood Leflore deserved a spot within the program. Hyde-Smith also sent a letter in March in support of Magee General Hospital's application and has supported Wayne General Hospital's inclusion in the program as well. All three hospitals' enrollment in the RCHD program requires CMS receiving a signed Participation Agreement within 30 days. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
