As opioid-related fatalities in Northeast Ohio continue to climb to record levels, United Way of Greater Cleveland is increasing its efforts to fund addiction prevention and recovery services. In 2016, more than 650 people died of a drug overdose in Cuyahoga County — exceeding the number of homicides, suicides and car fatalities combined. For 2017, the death toll was projected to approach 800.
One large group of United Way donors — the employees of First Energy Corp. and the Illuminating Co. — will direct the funds they raise this year toward addiction prevention and recovery services.
“This cause means something to them,” says August A. Napoli Jr., president of United Way. “It is something they can wrap their arms around — something specific.”
One such employee is the Illuminating Co.’s Ray Ressler, whose son, Aaron, died of a heroin overdose. His story is all too familiar. It began when he injured his hand and was given oxycodone after surgery. When he could no longer get a doctor’s prescription for the drug, the addictive pain killer ultimately led him to try heroin. After several admissions to rehab, he tragically overdosed. He had been clean for 10 months prior to his death and would have been 36 years old this year.
Today, Ressler is sharing his story with the hope of saving other lives. In fact, he says, some of his co-workers have come forward to seek help, which is helping build awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.
Ben Miladin, director of health for United Way, echoes Ressler’s sentiments.
“It’s a disease, not a moral failing,” he says. “It is a medical issue that can be treated. We need to focus on proper treatment.”
Miladin oversees the funding for United Way’s health-related services, including substance abuse and mental health treatment, violence prevention and chronic-disease management. Some of the United Way-funded agencies with which he works on the opioid crisis include Community Reentry in Ohio City, Murtis Taylor on Kinsman, New Directions in Pepper Pike and Orca House and Women’s Recovery Center, both in Cleveland.
Miladin’s message is clear.
“Get people into treatment — treatment works. People do recover,” he says.
This year, United Way will provide more than $364,000 to addiction-related services. Included in this total are the funds raised on #GivingTuesday — the global giving movement held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving that encourages charitable giving via social media. United Way raised nearly $19,000 and secured a matching grant of $20,000 from Medical Mutual, making the total nearly $40,000. One hundred percent of the #GivingTuesday funds went toward prevention and recovery services. It was the second year Medical Mutual provided the match.