COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Helping to kick off Pride Month are the Columbus and Franklin County Addiction Action Plan and Walk-Ins for Wellness, an initiative to address addiction and other health issues in the LGBTQ+ community.
The goal is to provide non-judgmental care and access to evaluations, treatment and other resources to aid in recovery and reduce overdoses.
Andrea Boxill, administrator of Columbus Public Health’s addiction services division and director of addiction planning for Columbus and Franklin County, said the community is currently facing a growing problem of accidental overdose deaths.
“Whether it’s Pride, Independence Day, Confession or any kind of gathering, there’s always a risk that someone will overdose,” Boxill said, “so we want to be able to provide services and resources to reduce the chance of harm or death.”
People can attend the walk-in event on June 5 and 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Reeb Center, 280 Reeb Ave. in Columbus. Food will be served until 2 p.m. Boxill said that although the event is only two days, the Columbus and Franklin County Addiction Action Plan, which is made up of more than 75 different agencies and partners, will always be on hand for people who need help.
“We’re always here,” she said. “You’re always welcome. We’re not trying to spread prejudice, we just want to support you, advocate for you, and build connections with the community.” Boxill added that while the event has an LGBTQ+ theme, anyone is welcome to attend.
This is the first in a series of monthly “Walk-ins for Wellness” events from now through November. Each event will provide free health screenings, health screenings, naloxone, linkages to treatment, assistance with Medicaid enrollment, personal care items, food and a lock box.
Free at each event: health screenings, wellness screenings, naloxone, linkage to treatment, Medicaid enrollment assistance, personal care items, food and a lockbox.
The Columbus and Franklin County Addiction Action Plan promotes wellness events on its Facebook page, in addition to sharing data and trends happening in the community.
