The Union County Drug Free Coalition recognized Memorial Health as the 2018 Community Champion Award winner during its January board meeting.
The award has been given by the Union County Drug Free Coalition since 2016 and recognizes individuals or organizations who support positive youth development and drug-free lifestyles in Union County.
For many years, Memorial Health has supported efforts in the prevention of opiate misuse and treatment. In partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Memorial Health has helped to develop materials and promote the prescription drug take back events held every spring and fall. Together they also spread the word about the local drug drop boxes in Union County. These efforts increase awareness about the importance of safely monitoring, storing and disposing of medications. Due to the collaborative efforts of Memorial Health, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Plain City Police Department, Richwood Police Department and the Union County Drug Free Coalition, nearly 700 pounds of medication were disposed of in 2017 in Union County.
In 2017, Memorial Health Sports Medicine also partnered with the Union County Drug Free Coalition to raise awareness among coaches, parents and student athletes about the risks of opiate medication and athletic injuries. Information is provided to parents and students during athletic meetings and at the time of injury. Memorial Athletic Trainers play a critical role when an injury occurs and informing families on how to plan ahead for pain is one of the ways to improve recovery and reduce the risk of opiate misuse.
“We are grateful to Memorial Health for their commitment to the health and safety of families in Union County,” said Deputy Rich Crabtree, Union County Sheriff’s Office and Union County Drug Free Coalition Chair. “We appreciate their leadership within our community and partnership to help youth remain drug-free.”
The Union County Drug Free Coalition began in 2009 and is a program of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County. The Coalition serves to reduce the risk and harm that occurs with substance abuse and to promote healthy, safe and drug-free lifestyles among youth and families in our community. For more information about the Union County Drug Free Coalition, contact Holly Zweizig at 937-642-1212 or holly@mhrbuc.org.