Coalition members from all over Ohio made advocacy to the state’s highest elected officials a priority last month.

PreventionFIRST! took part in Prevention Action Alliance’s Ohio Prevention Advocacy at the Ohio Statehouse on February 25. More than two dozen legislative appointments took place on that day by coalition leaders to bring about awareness, education and community change toward more substance use/misuse prevention in Ohio’s communities and schools. Some of the priorities that prevention coalition leaders brought to the senators, state representatives and their staff include supporting the creation of a prevention line item in Ohio’s general fund; that prevention is an investment that yields significant financial returns for the state and for saving lives and adoption of health standards for the state since currently Ohio does not have any in place. 

PF! staff were able to meet with State Senators William Coley and Bob Peterson and State Representatives Catherine Ingram and Paul Zeltwanger to discuss prevention priorities and strategies being carried out in the Greater Cincinnati area by PF! and member coalitions. Additionally, other meetings were held with elected state officials back in their home districts after the Advocacy Day event. PF! looks forward to communicating with those elected officials throughout the year about events and programs that are being hosted in the region.