The Shelby County Drug Free Coalition and other community partners are making Deterra® drug disposal pouches available at no cost to residents of Shelby County as part of drug take back and safe disposal efforts.

The launch of the safe-disposal program will coincide with National Drug Take Back Day October 23. Drug Take Back Day is promoted by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a way to safely remove unwanted and unused prescription medications from homes, to prevent theft, abuse and accidental poisoning.

Distribution points are being set up throughout Shelby County, and include: Senior Center of Sidney, Fair Haven, The Meal Prep Life, Wilson Health, Bunny’s Pharmacy, Family Resource Center, Jackson Center Pharmacy, and the Sidney-Shelby County Health Department. Other agencies also participating include: STAR House, Samaritan Works, Mercy Mission House, Shelby County Veterans Services, Botkins Village Hall and Jackson Center Village Hall. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Sidney Police Department, including the Sidney Addiction Assistance Team, will make the disposal bags available along with the drug take-back drop boxes in their respective lobbies.

The Deterra® pouches use activated charcoal and water to dissolve and deactivate a wide range of medications, including fentanyl, ketamine, quetiapine, tramadol, and zolpidem. Unlike most drug take-back drop boxes, which will only accept pills or powders, the pouches can also neutralize creams, liquids, patches and films. Once in the bag and deactivated, the substances cannot be absorbed by the body, even if ingested. They are also prevented from entering the ecosystem, as can happen when flushing or disposing in landfills without a deactivating process.

Shelby County Commissioner Julie Ehemann said: “Shelby County is excited to be launching a project utilizing Deterra® pouches, which can rid any home of dangerous, leftover drugs in minutes. Our goal is to reduce the risk of abuse, misuse and accidental ingestion of leftover medication, especially prescription opioids.”

The pouches were obtained through the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative and Shelby County Department of Job & Family Services at not cost to the county. The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) convenes national, state and community leaders to exchange best practices and provide resources that help prevent misuse of prescription medicines.
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The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services maintains a list of area drug take-back drop boxes on its website at www.tcbmds.org/disposal.

Darke County Commissioners at their session Monday October 4 2021 endorsed the Tri-County Mental Health levy renewal with a Proclamation of Support.

​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.

Tri-County Board Executive Director Terri Becker expressed her appreciation to the Commissioners for their support, saying, "The levy is a crucial part of the Board's funding that enables us to continue to address the mental health and addiction services needs in Darke County. The Commissioners are active partners in identifying local needs and solutions and we thank them for their endorsement."

Since 2006, the levy has passed with about 2 of 3 voters in Darke, Miami and Shelby counties supporting. More information about the renewal can be found at www.YESforMentalHealth.com.

Since March 18th, SafeHaven had not been able to open for attendance due to COVID-19 regulations in Ohio, but we have been blessed to have the opportunity to deliver meals and offer virtual support groups and technology wellness check-ins for many of our members.  NOW, we have exciting news.  SafeHaven will be re-opening under the Responsible RestartOhio regulations on Wednesday, June 10th, 2020!  SafeHaven is ready and excited to welcome all of our members back, and we’re ready to do so in a safe manner to protect one another, following mandatory practices set by Ohio government.

Our SafeHaven locations in Darke, Miami, and Shelby Counties have our buildings designed to meet and exceed the health safety requirements, including social distancing seating arrangements, one-way hallways/pathways, verbal health screenings before entry, increased cleaning procedures, added hand sanitation stations, provided masks for employees and members, and more.  During this phase of social distanced-opening, our transportation will not be available for riders.  But, SafeHaven will be open for attendance with our structured day of support groups, educational classes, meals, social activities, and more three (3) days per week at each site, and will continue cooking/packaging/delivering meals and providing virtual support four (four) days per week at each site.

Miami County’s site will re-open with special regulations on Wednesday, June 10th from 11am to 4pm, and will continue each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until further restrictions are eased.  Meal deliveries and virtual support will continue to be available each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Call 937.615.0126 or email [email protected] for more information.

Darke County’s site will re-open with special regulations on Thursday, June 11th from 11am to 4pm, and will continue each Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday until further restrictions are eased.  Meal deliveries and virtual support will continue to be available each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Call 937.548.7233 or email [email protected] for more information.

Shelby County’s site will re-open with special regulations on Friday, June 12th from 11am to 4pm, and will continue each Monday, Tuesday, and Friday until further restrictions are eased.  Meal deliveries and virtual support will continue to be available each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Call 937.658.6930 or email [email protected] for more information.     

See www.safehaveninc.com for more information about all of the services we offer to adults in need of mental health support across Darke, Miami, and Shelby Counties.  SafeHaven would like to thank our funders:  Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, Shelby County United Way, United Way of Miami County, Darke County United Way, Troy Foundation, Community Foundation of Shelby County, Miami County Foundation, and Piqua Foundation.

By adapting their businesses to rapidly changing condition, the area's mental health and addictions provider agencies have been able to meet the needs of clients and an anxious public during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mental health crisis services are available, within the limits imposed on admission to public places such as jails and hospitals. Persons experiencing a mental health crisis, generally defined as severe, debilitating symptoms of anxiety or depression, loss of reality, or suicidal thoughts, should call the 24\7 Tri-County Crisis Hotline at 800-351-7347.

Persons who may be experiencing a crisis but can't don't want to talk may use the national Crisis Text Line by texting "4hope" to 741741.

Persons concerned about suicidal thoughts may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Talking about suicide is often the best way to prevent a suicide attempt.

Persons who are anxious but not in crisis may call the HOPE Line operated by SaveHaven Inc. The warm line - as opposed to a hotline for emergencies - allows people to talk about their concerns with a trained operator. The HOPE Line can be reached at 937-451-3232 or toll free at 855-276-HOPE (4673). Hours are Monday through Friday 4-11PM, and Saturday and Sunday 4-8PM.

Recovery and Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio in Tipp City and Greenville asks that new or existing clients not come to the facility unless requested to do so, but rather call the central scheduling number, 937-423-6356, and to check the website, recoveryandwellnessohio.org for updates and information.

RWC Executive Director Cynthia Wion said their transition to alternative methods of meeting clients has gone relatively smoothly given the suddenness of the pandemic restrictions. "We can start clients with a phone call, email them the consent forms and other documents, and get them started without having to meet face to face." She added that many of RWC's professional staff are able to work from home. 

Miami County Recovery Council in Troy requests that new and existing clients call the main number, 937-335-4543 ext 155, before coming to the office. More information and updates can be found at mcrcinc.org.

MCRC Executive Director Thom Grim said, "We are still here for people. We are being careful for staff who are on the front lines, but we are still providing services for those who need them." Grim said MCRC is mostly providing telephone and telehealth services when possible for the safety of clients and staff. He added that group therapy, which has been temporarily suspended due to restrictions on the size of gatherings, will soon resume through an online format.

At Family Resource Centers of Northwest Ohio's Sidney office, clinical services via telephone and video will be available soon, according to a notice posted to the organization's website by CEO John Bindas. Persons seeking services should call first at the Sidney office number, 937-710-4616, or FRC's hotline 888-936-7116. Additional information can be found at frcohio.com.

At Safehaven's three locations in Piqua, Greenville and Sidney, staff is available by phone and online, but on-site activities have been curtailed. Executive Director Doug Metcalfe, in statement circulated Wednesday, stated that while SafeHaven is unable to open to members, they are adapting services to provide meals to current members along with activities and online group meetings. Online support sessions will take place at 11:30AM, 1:00PM and 2:30PM, and will be site-specific.

SafeHaven staff is making daily outreach and wellness calls to members, and welcomes incoming calls for peer support in addition to the HOPE Line services. Payeeship services continue, except that appointments will be by phone only. For a complete rundown of services available to SafeHaven members, go to safehaveninc.com.

The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services has been closely monitoring updates from the Governor's office and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to help provide guidance to local providers of services.

For example, existing Medicaid rules do not allow agencies to bill for counseling services by telephone. However, once the scope of the pandemic became apparent, the Governor's office and OhioMHAS expressed a strong inclination toward services by phone. Tri-County Board Executive Director Terri Becker communicated to the provider agencies that, pending changes in Medicaid billing rules, the Board would use local mental health levy dollars within existing contracts to enable agencies to start providing services by phone as soon as they are ready to do so.

Tri-County Board staff are transitioning to work from home as much as possible. The Board office remains open for business but no members of the public are permitted into the office, in compliance with a directive from Miami County officials. Persons wishing to contact the Board office are requested to call 937-335-7727 and press 7 for a staff directory. More resources and information can be found at the Board's website www.tcbmds.org.

Family Resource Center (FRC) is enhancing the array of mental health and addictions services available in Shelby County while it moves to its new location at 1101 N. Vandemark Road in Sidney, the current site of Shelby County Counseling Center.

FRC, which has been providing youth-oriented services out of its office on 2nd Avenue, will move current services to the Vandemark Road location in early August and expand its service array beginning in September. SCCC clients will continue to receive services from current SCCC staff and treatment providers in addition to having access to the expanded menu of services offered by FRC.

FRC will add a team of nurse practitioners, under the direction of Medical Director Dr. Richard Nockowitz, to its medical department beginning Sept.1. Dr. Nockowitz and his team are specialists in providing psychiatric care to children, youth and adults through telemedicine, which connects providers to clients via secure two-way video. Benefits of telemedicine include improved access to a wider array of services than can be provided in a physical location, cost effectiveness, improved quality of care, and meeting increasing patient demand.

Included in the full menu of services available to Shelby County residents will be: youth prevention programs, school navigators, intensive home-based services for families, comprehensive outpatient adult and youth mental health and addiction treatment, detox, crisis services, and expanded medication management services.

Mark McDaniel, Executive Director of the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, pointed to the broad array of services brought to Shelby County by Family Resource Center. "The new and expanded services FRC brings to the Vandemark Road location helps the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services move closer to its strategic goal of establishing a Centralized Service Facility in Shelby County,” McDaniel said. “We expect FRC’s service array in Shelby County to continue to grow to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Tri-County Board welcomes this opportunity to ensure the most efficient and effective use of local mental health levy resources."

FRC Chief Executive Officer John Bindas said his recruitment of Dr. Nockowitz, a nationally-known lecturer on psychiatry and an expert in psychiatric diagnostics and psychopharmacology, “underscores our commitment to reshaping the scope and quality of services we want to deliver for the community.”
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Bindas explained the mission of Family Resource Center is “to provide specialized behavioral health services to individuals, children and families in our multi-cultural communities in order to strengthen family life and promote personal growth through treatment that works.” He added, “The increasing need and demand for our services as well as the constantly changing health care industry will continue to present challenges and we will continue to adjust, always with quality client care as our central focus.” 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to increase awareness of mental health in Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is offering Mental Health First Aid classes to the public at no cost.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The youth course is intended for anyone 16 years or older to learn how to help young people.

The Tri-County Board has training more than 500 individuals in Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid since 2014.

Normally a $25 per person class, the 8-hour training is being offered at no cost in May. No special code is required, For more information and for links to register, go to www.tcbmds.org/mhfa. May dates and locations scheduled are:

Mental Health First Aid

• ​Monday May 7, Troy
• Thursday May 24, Sidney

Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Wednesday May 2, Sidney
• Thursday May 17, Sidney
• Tuesday May 29, Troy

To arrange Mental Health First Aid training for groups or organizations, contact Ian Ridgeway, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, [email protected], or call (937) 335-7727 ext 216.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to increase awareness of mental health in Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is offering Mental Health First Aid classes at no cost.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The youth course is intended for anyone 16 years or older to learn how to help young people.

Normally a $25 per person class, the 8-hour training is being offered at no cost in May. Use the discount code "MHM when registering. For more information and for links to register, go to www.tcbmds.org/mhfa. May dates and locations scheduled are:

Mental Health First Aid

• ​Wednesday May 31, Tri-County Board Training Room, Troy

Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Thursday May 18, Tri-County Board Training Room, Troy
• Tuesday May 23, Edison Darke County, Greenville

To arrange Mental Health First Aid training for groups or organizations, contact Ian Ridgeway, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, [email protected], or call (937) 335-7727 ext 216.

The Tri-County Board has launched a website, Facebook page and Twitter account for One Wellness Place, a project currently under development by the Board. One Wellness Place is a public-private partnership for healthy living in Miami County and supporting services in Darke and Shelby Counties. It will house mental health and addiction service providers, public health, and an array of wraparound support services.

"It is important that we keep citizens in the Tri-County Board service area, our funding partners, and potential partners aware of updates," said Brad Reed, Director of Community Resource Development for the Tri-County Board. "There has been a lot of activity behind the scenes up until now. Since the groundbreaking and official project launch January 26, the pace will pick up, both on the fundraising side and the project planning and building side."

The website can be found at www.onewellnessplace.org. On Facebook and Twitter, the accounts are 1wellnessplace. The website contains descriptions of the project, timeline, service and funding partners, links to media clips,  galleries of photos, and a link to the online giving page at The Troy Foundation for individuals who would like to donate. The site can be linked from the Tri-County Board website under the "Community" menu.

The Coalition for a Health Darke County is hosting its first Community Outreach Event Tuesday October 25 at 6:30pm at Romer's Catering, 118 East Main Street, Greenville. The event is free and open to the public.

The Coalition for a Healthy Darke County is leading the community in a collaborative effort to impact health, wellness and social issues. The Coalition has identified eight areas of focus: Elder Care & Services, Mental & Behavioral Health, Physical Health, Safety, Spiritual Health, Substance Abuse, Wellness, and Youth Education & Prevention.

The primary topic of the first Coalition meeting is heroin. Heroin isn't just a court or law enforcement issue. It encompasses physical, mental and spiritual health. Panelists will give an update on where the Coalition partners are in the fight against heroin in Darke County.

The event is sponsored by the Darke County Chamber of Commerce, Premier Health, Romer's, Tri-County Board of Recovery & Mental Health Services, Darke County United Way, and Wayne Healthcare.

Learn more...