Ohio Alliance of Recovery Providers--Legacy Award Presentation

Over 851,000 Ohioans suffer from substance dependence or abuse; however, only 11%
of those needing treatment for alcohol and drug problems presently receive it. Of the
over 2.8 million children in Ohio, it is estimated that over 700,000 Ohio children are
affected in some way by substance abuse. Approximately 79,000 Ohio youths either
abuse or are dependent on illicit drugs. About half of all workers compensations claims
in Ohio are related to alcohol or drug abuse in the workplace. On average, an
employee with an unaddressed substance use disorder can cost an employer $7,000
per year in lost productivity and health care costs. About 80% of Ohio inmates have a
substance disorder. Alcohol and drugs affect all Ohioans in some way.

For every dollar spent on substance abuse, only four cents goes to prevention and
treatment with the remainder going towards the burden of substance abuse on public
programs, such as law enforcement. And yet, alcohol and drug addiction treatment is
effective as demonstrated in over 600 published scientific papers. Of those ages 18 or
older who feel they need treatment but have not received it, one third say they have not
received treatment because they lack health insurance and are unable to pay. At a
modest return of $7 saved for ever $1 spent on treatment, Ohios prevention benefit
could exceed $202 million every year.

The Ohio Alliance of Recovery Providers strongly believes that advocating for access to
treatment for substance use disorders is a top priority. We have identified areas that we
believe can have an impact on improving access and engagement in treatment and
recovery services.

• PRIORITY ISSUE ONE: PROVIDE A FULL-CONTINUUM FOR CARE FOR ALL
OHIO CITIZENS WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS
• PRIORITY ISSUE TWO: ENACT MANDATED INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR
TREATMENT COVERAGE FOR ALL LEVELS OF CARE
• PRIORITY ISSUE THREE: REDUCE UNNECESSARY REGULATORY
CONDITIONS AND/OR REQUIREMENTS FOR OHIO RECOVERY PROVIDERS

Our efforts focus on building recovery-oriented capacity and client-centered care. This
report presents key findings related to issues directly impacting our recovery system in
Ohio. Over the next year, the Ohio Alliance for Recovery Providers will convene
provider panels to help to define Ohios recovery-oriented services. We will work
against resistance for change and strive to reduce stigma and discrimination related to
addictions. Finally, it is our intent to institute changes to address the inequitable,
inadequate and inflexible funding streams for treatment and recovery services in Ohio.

www.ohioarp.org

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• treatment
• recovery
• addiction
• service
• drug
• alcohol