ADAMH set to place levy on Nov. ballot

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The Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMH) Board reaffirmed its intentions to place a new district-wide levy on the November 2016 general election ballot at a recent board meeting.

Funds generated from passage of the 1-mill levy will be used to support a range of mental health and substance abuse services, including crisis, detox, treatment and prevention programming. The ADAMH Board is responsible to ensure these services are available and accessible in a five-county area, which includes Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike and Ross counties.

A new levy is necessary for a number of reasons, according to ADAMH associate director Penny Dehner.

“Funding from state and federal sources has not kept pace with the need as our communities face the opiate epidemic.” Dehner also noted, “The opiate epidemic has long reaching and long lasting effects on children and families struggling with addiction. This indicates a greater need to provide additional mental health and prevention services to children and families.”

Board Chair Jack Clark, of Circleville, also expressed his concerns.

“We really hated having to go to the voters, but could not see another way to generate the funds needed,” he said. “The Paint Valley ADAMH Board is committed to using the funds generated from the 1-mill levy to provide better access to treatment, detoxification, crisis services, while promoting prevention in our schools.”

If passed, the levy would generate roughly $4.5 million annually and the cost to a home owner on a $100,000 home is approximately $35 per year.

More information on the levy or ADAMH-funded services may be obtained by calling the board office at 740-773-2283 or visiting the agency’s website at www.pvadamh.org.

Submitted article

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