Addiction Task Force

Mission:

To eliminate drug abuse by promoting public awareness, advocating for increased treatment options, and pursuing funding for public education and local treatment.

History:

On March 28, 2014, the Ohio Governor, John R. Kasich, and the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACHBA) reached out to judges in all Ohio Counties to assemble a team of local officials and stakeholders to attend “Ohio’s Opiate Conference:  Don’t Get Me Started” in Columbus, OH.  Honorable Judge Nanette VonAllman, Tuscarawas County’s Municipal Court Judge, was selected to assemble a team to represent Tuscarawas County.  The team from Tuscarawas County consisting of Judges, the County Sheriff, treatment providers, defense counsel, probation officer, county commissioner, and the County Coroner attended the conference.  The team was tasked with preparing and returning a SWOT survey to OACHBA and with establishing a local Opiate Task Force.  The first meeting of the Tuscarawas County Opiate Task Force was held on July 22, 2014.  Strategic Plans have been developed and implemented annually to focus on priorities like Medication Assisted Treatment, Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Project Dawn, Community Outreach, Quick Response Team, Stigma Reduction, strengthening Youth SUD/dual diagnosis treatment services, Peer Support, HOPELINE, etc.  These strategic plan priorities are aligned with the Ohio State Health Improvement Plans (SHIP) and the Tuscarawas County Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP).  A name transition occurred in October 2020 to be called the Addition Task Force due to the State Opioid Response Funding expanding to include simulants.  The logo for the task force was updated to reflect this change.

Our Meeting Times:

• When: 4th Thursday each month from 8:30am-10:00am
• Where: New Philadelphia Fire Department, 134 Front Avenue SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663

Participating Agencies:

• ADAMHS Board of Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties
• SpringVale Health Center
• Trinity Twin City Hospital
• Tuscarawas County EMA
• OhioGuidestone
• Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department
• New Philadelphia Health Department
• Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas
• New Philadelphia Fire Department
• New Philadelphia Municipal Court
• Tuscarawas County Health Department
• Empower Tusc
• ARK Behavioral Health
• Brightview
• Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office
• Access Tusc/Bridges to Wellness
• Beneath the Shade
• SMART Recovery
• Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services
• Twin City Chamber of Commerce