On Monday, June 19, 2017, County Executive Ilene Shapiro introduced legislation to County Council to accept a FY2017 Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Court Program grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the amount of $974,570.00. County Council voted on and passed this legislation on Monday, June 26. Beginning in September 2017, the three-year grant will provide funding to continue and expand the Summit County Drug Court program, which assists the rehabilitation of high risk offenders with drug and/or alcohol addictions by filling gaps in opiate treatment, trauma care, and social support.  Over the grant’s three year cycle, an estimated 520 clients will be served.

This type of grant funding is critical for Summit County to bolster its multi-dimensional, proactive approach in combating addiction crises and helping individuals move toward the road to recovery,and assisting them in making productive and positive life changes not only for themselves, but for their families and loved ones. “The Summit County Drug Court is a critical aspect of recovery for many Summit residents who are striving for sobriety” said County Executive Shapiro. “My staff and our partners in recovery invested substantial time and effort to achieve this competitively awarded grant. In the fight against the current opiate crisis and the entire spectrum of addiction, we must work proactively as opposed to reactively, and this grant is a tool Summit County can use to accomplish that and maintain a safe and healthy community.” 

“The Summit County Common Pleas Turning Point Program is very fortunate to be the beneficiary of this SAMHSA Grant. With this financial assistance, we will continue to provide trauma-focused care to our participants in recovery, through the use of a Crisis Intervention Counselor. We will be able to better help our participants bridge the gap between treatment and long-term sobriety through the assistance of Recovery Coaches,” said Judge Joy Malek Oldfield, Summit County Court of Common Pleas Turning Point Program. “These resources, and so many others, empower people in recovery to build better lives for themselves, and a safer and stronger community for everyone.” 

“Addiction is not only debilitating on an individual level, it impacts families, the workplace, peoples’ livelihood and the fabric of the community,” said County Council President John Schmidt. “This program provides an excellent opportunity to fight addiction on many different levels and to help those afflicted receive support and services.”

“The receipt of this grant presents an amazing opportunity to our community as we continue our mission to combat the opiate epidemic and build a foundation for lifelong sobriety,” said Akron Municipal Court Judge Jon Oldham. “This grant will certainly help save lives.” 
“The Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Board recognizes the value of the drug courts in Summit County and welcomes this expansion. The combination of judicial supervision, intensive case management, treatment, program sanctions and rewards help to establish a firm foundation for a lifelong recovery lifestyle,” said Gerald Craig, Executive Director, ADM Board.

“Oriana House is pleased to work with both Akron Recovery Court and Summit County Turning Point drug courts on the SAMSHA grant recently awarded to Summit County,” said Oriana HousePresident & CEO James Lawrence. “The collaboration between all entities is key to providing the most effective treatment. This new funding will allow us to implement additional support services and new technology for the Drug Court programs and their participants.”

For more information:

• http://www.summitcpcourt.net/Programs/TurningPointProgram/Pages/TurningPoint3.aspx
• https://courts.ci.akron.oh.us/programs/drug_court.htm