At its regular meeting September 23, the Miami County Heroin Coalition passed a resolution to endorse the Tri-County Mental Health & Recovery levy which will be on the ballot in Shelby, Darke and Miami Counties November 8.

The Tri-County Mental Health & Recovery levy is a 0.6 mill, 5-year renewal to provide ongoing funding for counseling and supportive services to children and adults through the operation of alcohol and drug addiction programs and mental health programs. Levy funds are administered by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services.

The Miami County Heroin Coalition is made up of agencies, organizations, public officials, businesses, churches, and concerned citizens working together to address the impact of heroin on Miami County, Ohio. It is the Coalition's position that only by working together and maintaining open channels of communication among all affected groups can the challenges of heroin use in Miami County effectively be met. Members recognize the importance of the Tri-County Mental Health and Recovery Levy in supporting these community-based efforts.

For more information about the Miami County Heroin Coalition, contact Coalition chair J. Steven Justice at [email protected].

At its regular meeting September 22, the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition passed a resolution to endorse the Tri-County Mental Health & Recovery levy which will be on the ballot in Shelby, Darke and Miami Counties November 8.

The Tri-County Mental Health & Recovery levy is a 0.6 mill, 5-year renewal to provide ongoing funding for counseling and supportive services to children and adults through the operation of alcohol and drug addiction programs and mental health programs. Levy funds are administered by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services.

The Shelby County Drug Free Coalition is made up of agencies, organizations, public officials, businesses and concerned citizens working together to make Shelby County, Ohio, a safe place to live and work. The Coalition's mission is advocacy, networking and collaboration to prevent harmful alcohol and other drug use in Shelby County by focusing on preventing youth consumption.

The Coalition meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 10:30am at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sidney. Information about the Coalition, including upcoming meetings, can be found online at drugfreeshelbycounty.weebly.com.

FOA (Families of Addicts) is changing the location of its Miami County meetings. Beginning October 4, the group will meet the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 7 to 8:30PM at Grace Family Worship, 725 Lincoln Avenue, Troy.

FOA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and encouraging advocacy for families, friends and individuals touched by addiction.

For more information, call Paula at 937-301-9747 or email [email protected], or go online at FOAfamilies.org.

Mental Health First Aid classes in October, November and December are now available for registration. The classes are offered by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services.

The general Mental Health First Aid courses are: October 13 in Troy; November 8 in Greenville; and December 5 in Sidney. A Youth Mental Health First Aid course which is designed for adults who work with young people ages 12-18, will be offered November 2 in Sidney.

Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with the signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care.

Anyone can take the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course — first responders, students, teachers, leaders of faith communities, human resources professionals, and caring citizens.

Pre-registration is required. Cost of each class is $25 which includes the required manual. For details and to register online, go to the Tri-County Board’s website at www.tcbmds.org/mhfa, or call 937-335-7727, ext 216.