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EDITORIAL: Vote 'yes' on levy for mental health levy for Allen, Auglaize and Hardin counties

Lima News (OH) - 10/31/2015

Oct. 31--The need continues for mental health and addiction recovery services in the region.

That's why we believe the need continues for a 0.5-mill levy for Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties. We urge voters to renew this levy in the Nov. 3 election.

This levy help programs you're not even aware it helps. The money contributes to the services offered at Coleman Professional Services, Family Resource Center, Health Partners of Western Ohio, Hopeline, UMADAOP of Lima and the Partnership for Violence Free Families.

In 2014, more than 7,000 adults and more than 3,000 youth received treatment for a mental illness or substance abuse through one of the "We Care" agencies.

In 2014, the Hope Line, 1-800-567-HOPE, handled 11,178 calls, and 547 people used the Crisis Center there.

Anyone can walk into Coleman, the Family Resource Center or SAFY to talk to a mental health or addiction professional without an appointment. You can see an adult or child psychiatrist in less than seven days.

These are all exceptional levels of service for a government agency that's handling a difficult and growing problem in Ohio.

It's a problem exacerbated by the influx of heroin into our region. This taxpayer-supported program is helping in the active recovery from heroin or pain pills for 503 people in Allen County, 168 people in Hardin County and 62 people in Auglaize County.

The programs also work with school districts in all three counties to try to reduce the number of people in the next generation of drug and alcohol abusers. It implemented a program called PAX, with nearly 300 teachers impacting more than 6,000 children a year with a program proven to significantly reduce substance abuse and mental illnesses in children over their lifetime.

While it's had so much of a positive effect in the community, its board actually reduced its administrative costs by more than $120,000. Administrative costs represent only 6.95 percent of the total budget.

That puts even more of the $1.6 million raised by the levy back into the services that are so needed.

Voters have voiced their support for this particular 0.5 mill levy in the past. The organization has been wise with its money and not asked for an increase on this levy. It costs someone with a $100,000 home $11.88 per year, making it an affordable and good investment in the mental health of our community.

We urge voters in Allen, Auglaize and Hardin counties to continue their support of these valuable programs. Vote "yes" on Tuesday for the 0.5-mill levy for Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties.

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(c)2015 The Lima News (Lima, Ohio)

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