Significant strides have been made in combating the opioid epidemic in the Oxford area, members of the city council were told at a meeting on Feb. 20.
Amy Macechko, health and wellness coordinator for Talawanda School District and director of the Coalition for a Healthy Community, said that a local initiative that began in 2020 has entered a second phase.
This second phase will extend mental health services to Oxford, Miami University, Hanover Township, Milford Township, Oxford Township and Reily Township, she said. It will also expand its reach through the HOPE anti-stigma campaign and promoting telehealth services.
The first phase, launched in 2020, focused on addressing substance use disorders, enhancing social-emotional learning in Talawanda School District and offering community-based services.
According to Macechko, nearly 5,000 individuals have benefited from the program, which utilized more than 30,000 volunteer hours. “Between 2022 and 2023, volunteers collected more than 1.5 tons of medicine at drug take-back events and drop boxes,” she added.
“The idea of this is to collectively come together under this grant with a common goal, objective and passion for our community to intentionally bring hope to the community,” Macechko said.
City officials praised the program, which was seeded by a $2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to a coalition of local organizations including McCullough-Hyde Foundation, McCullough-Hyde Memorial TriHealth, Miami University, Talawanda School District, Epiphany Community Services, Coalition For a Healthy Community-Oxford Area and the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Service Board.
“You’re doing wonderful work, and I know because I have seen it more,” Mayor William Snavely said at an Oxford City Council meeting on Feb. 20.
Oxford Police Chief John Jones said that the department is committed to mental health programs. Approximately one-fifth of Oxford police officers are trained in mental health crisis intervention, with the remaining 80% receiving mental health first aid response training, he said.
