Accidental drug overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the number one cause of injury-related deaths in the U.S. including Ohio. Every two hours and 52 minutes someone in Ohio dies from a drug overdose; that is eight people each day. Over the last decade, drug overdoses in Ohio have increased 419%.This is obviously a real problem. Last August, President Trump declared the Opioid crisis a national emergency. The next month, September, was “National Recovery Month.” As you may remember, it was during this month that State Representative Ron Young, in cooperation with RU Recovery’s “Faith-Based Recovery for America®,” hosted a faith-based recovery rally on the steps of the statehouse here in the great state of Ohio.
During that rally, we heard two hours of testimonies from former addicts, State Representatives, a Congressman, Director Mohr from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, and a judge from Richland County. All of whom said that they have witnessed that “Faith-Based recovery works!” Judge DeWeese again recently reiterated, “My opinion has not changed about the general effectiveness of Christ-centered treatment over all others.”
[Tweet “Judge DeWeese again recently reiterated, “My opinion has not changed about the general effectiveness of Christ-centered treatment over all others.””]
Representative Young introduced House Bill 427 (HB 427) and House Resolution 299 (HR 299) in the Ohio House of Representatives
In the weeks following this rally, Representative Young introduced House Bill 427 (HB 427) and House Resolution 299 (HR 299) in the Ohio House of Representatives. HB 427 provides for further awareness of this crisis down to the county and community levels as well as setting up several new grant programs for Faith-Based Recovery organizations including grants for curriculum, transportation, and capital funds for recovery housing. HR 299 is simply a message in which the House of Representatives will officially state that they believe that a Faith-Based Recovery is a viable option in the State of Ohio for those struggling with addiction.
Hearings held for testimony on Faith-Based Recovery
Wednesday, February 14, 2018, was an exciting day at the statehouse. We had proponent testimony on both HB 427 and HR 299. Both in different committees, on different floors, in different rooms, at the same time! I am grateful for so many ministries such as RU Recovery Ministries, Hope over Heroin, The Refuge, Clean Start, Shiloh Recovery Ministry, and many others across the state who are working to see recovery without relapse come to offer proponent testimonies on both pieces of legislation. Eleven individuals in all made a tremendous impact in the hearts of the committee members as was evidenced by their questions, tears, and communication of gratitude to those who were testifying. I have had the opportunity to communicate with many of the members since then and they have all been very supportive of the measures.
The testimonies that Tim Farley and others presented played a large role in the committee’s unanimous vote on HR 299 this past Tuesday. HB 427 has had three hearings and, up to this point, no opposition has been brought forth.
The testimonies that Tim Farley and others presented played a large role in the committee’s unanimous vote on HR 299 this past Tuesday.
I am looking forward to soon seeing both of these pieces make it to the floor of the House for a vote. God is working in the hearts of the legislators in Ohio. Many are grasping at anything that can help with this issue. Now is the time to help them to recognize the need for a holistic approach to recovery without relapse!
2 Responses
This is amazing!!! Praising God for the faithfulness of so many making this possible!!
I believe in faith based recovery for addicts. However, limiting or refusing medication to people who are in horrible pain is not a good thing. Some of this legislation has reduced the availability of medication to people who really need it; e.g. cancer patients.