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ODA Newsletter Issue 8 September 2026
ODA Newsletter
Latest Deflection News & Information. September 2026.
Dear Partners and Stakeholders,
Between April and August, the Ohio Deflection Association hosted five regional Lunch & Learn events, bringing training, resources, and networking directly to deflection, QRT, public safety, behavioral health, and community partners across Ohio.
These regional events were held in Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest, and Southeast Ohio, completing ODA's goal of providing an in-person learning and networking opportunity in each of its five regions. The regional format was designed to share information and strengthen relationships among local teams and offer participants an opportunity to discuss funding, program needs, emerging challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.
Each Lunch & Learn featured statewide partners and resources that can support the work taking place across Ohio and its communities. The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) provided updates on emerging drug trends, Kratom and the "Grey Market" while the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) highlighted the Ohio Community Alert Notification System (OCANS) and its potential to improve the sharing of timely information with local Deflection/QRT teams and Mental Health & Recovery Boards. The events also included regional workgroup discussions led by ODA Regional Representatives, giving attendees an opportunity to identify local needs, share approaches, and build connections with neighboring teams and communities.
The Lunch & Learn series reflects an important part of ODA's mission: bringing education, guidance, resources, and real-time solutions closer to the professionals and community partners doing this work every day.
Thank you,
Dan Meloy
Updates from our Community Partners
Ohio Department of Public Safety
In 2022 the Ohio Department of Public Safety created the Bridging Recovery and Interdiction Data Gathering Enforcement (BRIDGE) program. BRIDGE brings together drug task forces and law enforcement who are working to disrupt the supply of drugs entering communities while simultaneously partnering with local service providers in a resource fair to offer low-level non-violent offenders and others with substance use disorders (SUD) immediate access to treatment outside the criminal justice system.
So far in 2026, nine Ohio counties have hosted BRIDGE events engaging with more than 4,247 people. During those events nearly 1,000 Naloxone kits were distributed, 200 Lbs. of unused medication was collected, 800 meals were provided to those in need, 130 referrals for treatment were made and 37 people entered treatment programs during the events.
Here at OCJS we are also working on preparing for the release of what we anticipate will be the final round of RecoveryOhio grant funding. We anticipate the Request for proposal to be released in September.
Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center
ONIC- Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center: Supporting Ohio's Response to Emerging Drug Threats
The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, supports statewide efforts to reduce overdose deaths and disrupt the illicit drug market.
Through digital forensics, criminal intelligence analysis, and case support, ONIC helps law enforcement agencies respond to emerging threats. ONIC also partners with drug chemistry laboratories, medical examiners, policymakers, and professionals in public health, behavioral health, and recovery to strengthen collaboration and develop data-driven strategies that address both drug supply and demand.
ONIC offers several resources for deflection practitioners, including its monthly Drug Trends Call with RecoveryOhio, intelligence bulletins, tailored presentations, educational website content, and the ONIC Strategic Report and Drug Control Strategy. ONIC is also a partner in Operation BRIDGE, an initiative connecting targeted drug interdiction efforts with treatment, recovery, and support services. To learn more, visit onic.ohio.gov, email ONIC@dps.ohio.gov for presentations or the monthly call, or contact BRIDGE@dps.ohio.gov to explore bringing an Operation BRIDGE event to your community.
Recovery Ohio
New and Expanded Recovery Ohio Tools. Recovery Ohio is launching new resources and improving existing programs to give Ohioans more support in the fight against addiction.
Recovery Rachel, is a new twist on traditional chatbots. This tool guides individuals through available treatment and recovery services anytime, anywhere—without the need to understand behavioral health jargon. Recovery Rachel can be accessed at RecoveryRachelOhio.org.
The Overdose Early Warning Dashboard now takes all drug-related arrests into account when forecasting drug poisonings. This expansion helps more communities identify risk and intervene before lives are lost.
The Recovery Friendly Workplace program continues to grow, helping employers support the well-being of their employees. Support can be for the caregiver of someone who struggles with substance use or an individual struggling with substance use themselves. The benefits are clear with employers reporting reduced turnover and improved productivity.
Together, these new and expanded tools are building a state where recovery is always within reach. Learn more at RecoveryOhio.gov.
NEO MED Deflection ECHO
New Resource for Ohio Deflection Teams
Deflection Team Resource Guide: Standardized Recommendations, Tools, and Templates for Ohio Deflection Teams.
The Ohio Deflection Association is pleased to share the Deflection Team Resource Guide, a comprehensive resource designed to support deflection teams across Ohio.
The guide was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Substance Use Deflection Initiative, Ohio's COSSUP evaluation team, Talbert House, the University of Cincinnati, Cordata Healthcare Innovations, and the Office of Criminal Justice Services, with support from the Ohio Deflection Association and lessons learned from deflection teams across the state.
The guide brings together recommendations, tools, and templates to help communities develop, strengthen, and sustain effective deflection programs.
Upcoming Trainings
September 10th — Sarah Reed, MHA, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Beyond the Barn: Checking in on Ohio's Agricultural Community
October 8th — Kathy Legg, PRSS/CDCA; Joseph Kiesler, MD; Kelli Jarell, MD. Street Medicine as a Novel Platform for Harm Reduction
Download All Deflection Team Resource Guide Here
Stay Connected: Training & ODA Updates
Stay Connected with ODA
Thank you for being part of the Ohio Deflection Association community. We appreciate the work you are doing across Ohio to strengthen deflection efforts, connect individuals with the right resources, and build healthier communities.
Stay connected with ODA for upcoming trainings, events, resources, and opportunities to collaborate. Together, we can continue to grow deflection across Ohio.
And remember to save the date for the next ODA Summit, February 17–19, 2027, in Cincinnati, Ohio!
Have questions about the Summit or ODA? Please reach out to us at admin@ohiodeflectionassociation.org.
We look forward to seeing you there! Thank you for being part of the work!
Ohio Deflection Association | Cincinnati, OH 45247 US