ACCADA annual meeting reviews its mission, challenges

ASHLAND − A renewed commitment to the war against opioids, fentanyl and any other addictive drug was the message emphasized at the 37th annual meeting of the Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

"We are committed to our battle against opioids, fentanyl in particular," said ACCADA Director Rick Ford, speaking remotely at the Friday meeting, which is "unfortunately pretty much in every substance that is available out there on the street. Addiction is isolating and is often carried out in isolation."

Able to empathize with the people treated by the agency by relating it to COVID-19 isolation restrictions, Ford said the "C" for ACCADA'S C.A.R.E. model acronym is significant.

"C" stands for connections, and "doing everything possible to maintain (them) with the people we serve," Ford said at the meeting held during a luncheon at the Kroc Center.

The "A" refers to acknowledgement and awareness that clients are "most likely coming from adverse situations."

The "R" for respect is an important component of ACCADA's services, he said, for providing them in "a respectful, kind, understanding way."

Finally, the "E" represents "exercis(ing) compassion in everything we do," Ford said.

ACCADA'S services encompass assessment, education and treatment; mental health support; outpatient care; a jail program; prevention services for every school district in the county, K-12; recovery support services and recovery housing.

Ford also highlighted the RAP (Richland Alternate Program), an educational initiative on drugs and alcohol and traffic safety.

'Resiliency and Mighty Mouse strength'

Although Fiscal Year 2022 has been a year of challenges, he said, based in part on the pandemic and staffing changes, ACCADA has demonstrated "resiliency and Mighty Mouse strength - the little engine that could."

The fight against fentanyl includes distribution of Narcan units and emergency boxes.

In 2019, six deaths were attributed to an overdose; in 2020, seven deaths; and in 2021, nine deaths. Each of them was connected to fentanyl, Ford said.

The most recent numbers are not yet known, but from what he's seen so far they will be close to those recorded in 2021.

The special speaker was Amy McLaughlin, filling in for her mother, Lorie McLaughlin, a peer recovery coach for ACCADA. Amy chronicled her mother's recovery from drug abuse.

Having seen her mother at her "lowest lows and highest highs," Amy expressed how proud she is of her mother and how grateful she received treatment and help.

New board leader, open seats to be filled

Carrie Clever, stepping down as president of the ACCADA Board of Directors, was honored. She will be replaced by JoAnn Denslow.

Ford encouraged anyone interested to contact the agency about filling two vacancies on the board.

He also recognized and thanked the members of the board and agency staff, along with community agencies and employees from government, social services, law enforcement and others for standing behind ACCADA and assisting it in "operating at its best capacity."

"We're in a good place," he said of ACCADA, centered on recovery, counseling and prevention, and "continue to do good work for the community."

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Fentanyl deaths climbing was message at annual ACCADA meeting