MHRSB of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties Supports Senator Portman’s TREATS Act Month
The TREATS Act Expands Telehealth Addiction Treatment Services
This unprecedented pandemic has been difficult for us all but our community’s addiction crisis has gotten worse during this time. Through our efforts with the Opioid Action Commission and local partners, we saw fewer overdoses in 2018 and into 2019. The pandemic unraveled this hard work at the cost of lives. More Americans died of drug overdoses between May 2019 and May 2020 than any other 12-month stretch in U.S. history. Early evidence shows drug overdoses have only increased since June 2020.
The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties is working hard to save lives in our community. Telehealth addiction treatment services have helped us serve many during this time. However, the emergency measures that allow us to better serve community members in need through telehealth options are time-limited and will run out.
Senator Portman reintroduced the bipartisan bill the TREATS Act to extend these telehealth addiction treatment options by making them permanent. The MHRSB supports Senator Portman’s TREATS Act. Congress should pass this legislation immediately.
You can contact our government representatives to ask for their vote or support. Senator Brown can vote for the bill and can be reached at (202) 224-2315 or brown.senate.gov/contact/email. Find your other representatives ask to show support for the bill at usa.gov/elected-officials.
If you or a loved one need addiction treatment services, call our Hopeline to be connected to resources at 1-800-567-4673. If it is an emergency, do not hesitate to call 911.
The MHRSB will continue to help our community through these crises and find ways to save lives. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (419) 222-5120.
Executive Director's Letter to the Editor
RE: Portman, Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Telehealth Services for Substance Use Disorder Treatment (https://bit.ly/3bxwEnh).
Dear Editor,
We’re in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic, but hidden in the background is that the addiction crisis our communities have long struggled with is getting worse, not better. In fact, more Americans died of drug overdoses between May 2019 and May 2020 than any other 12-month stretch in U.S. history. While we wait on new data from more recent months, early evidence shows the drug overdose crisis has only deepened since.
Right now we need to be doing all we can to ensure more Ohioans don’t lose their lives to addiction, which is why I support Senator Portman’s TREATS Act to expand telehealth addiction treatment services. These virtual treatment options have been one of the few bright spots in fighting addiction during the pandemic, but they will expire soon without Senator Portman’s legislation.
Telehealth services are an indispensable addiction treatment option that helps us increase services to Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties. The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board is working hard to save lives in our community and the TREATS Act will help us do that after these time-limited measures run out. Congress should pass this important legislation immediately.
Sincerely,
Tammie Colon
Executive Director
Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties
529 S. Elizabeth St., Lima OH 45804
419-222-5120
If you are in crisis call 1-800-567-HOPE (4673) or text 741 741.