(New Philadelphia, Ohio) – The Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition is inviting the community to an information night on Wednesday, June 2nd.
The 922 Initiative, a subcommittee of the ADC and the Addiction Task Force, is hosting the Resource & Safety Day during the annual Railroad Days Festival. The midway will open on Wednesday, June 2nd at 5:30 p.m. and will remain open until 9:00 p.m. weather depending.
The Twin City area has been identified as a hot spot in Tuscarawas County with the highest number of overdoses and overdose deaths. “The biggest thing is that people need help, they want help, but many don’t know where to start,” explained Diana Smith with the ADC. “They often don’t realize just how many resources are out there.”
A variety of resources and support services are expected to be in attendance including the EMA, Train Safety, the American Salvation Army, Horizons Transportation, S.E.A., Trinity Hospital Twin City, the Anti-Drug Coalition, Takin’ it to the Schools, Youth Led Prevention, Ohio Guidestone, and many others. Free Narcan kits will be on hand and free bicycle helmets will be given away courtesy of a grant partnership between the Twin City Chamber of Commerce and the ADC. A prize drawing will also be held at the end of the event. Booth visitors will have the opportunity to have a card stamped and once they have received a stamp from each table the card will be placed into a drawing.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to connect with members of the Twin City community and ensure they have access to important resources available to them,” added Smith.
About the 922 Initiative
The 922 Initiative is designed to provide laser focused services and resources to the Twin City area following reports indicating higher overdoses and overdose deaths in the community than anywhere else in the county. Part of this initiative includes the Safe Hand Project featured in the organization’s Takin’ It To The Schools program. The program is designed to encourage students to talk openly about their feelings.
The Safe Hand Project invites students to draw a picture of their hand on a piece of paper and on each finger of the drawing they’re asked to write the name of a safe adult they can turn to. From police officers to parents and grandparents to coaches and teachers. The project evolved to ensure children have access to adults they can turn to even when school is not in session.
This summer, community members will notice orange handprints in business windows identifying participating locations as safe zones should children ever need to connect with someone. Handprints can be found in libraries, city halls, businesses, and more. Handprints, however, are never located in the windows of private homes.
