In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services will host “Every Life Matters: Prevention, Recovery and Hope.”
The free community event takes place August 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the board office, located at 13244 Ravenna Road in Chardon. The event will provide practical tools, education and resources to help prevent overdose deaths, support recovery and strengthen hope throughout Geauga County.
Substance use disorders affect individuals, families, workplaces and communities across Ohio. Every Life Matters is designed to reduce stigma, increase awareness of prevention strategies and connect residents with local treatment, recovery and crisis support services.
The event welcomes everyone from individuals looking to learn more about recovery, those in recovery and their family members, to healthcare professionals, first responders, educators, employers and community members who simply want to learn how they can help save lives.
At the heart of the event will be the Every Life Matters Resource Hub where community members can receive free prevention, recovery and harm reduction resources designed to keep individuals and families safe. Visitors will have access to medication lock boxes, medication disposal bags, lockable medication storage bags, sharps disposal kits, Narcan kits, recovery planners, AA and NA literature, recovery support materials and information about local treatment providers, recovery housing and crisis services.
Community partners will also be available to answer questions, provide personalized resource navigation and connect individuals to substance use disorder treatment and recovery supports based on their unique needs. The event is designed to meet people where they are, whether they are looking for information, supporting a loved one, working in healthcare or public safety or seeking help for themselves.
By offering practical tools that promote safe medication storage and disposal, overdose prevention education, recovery planning resources, and direct connections to treatment and recovery services, Every Life Matters empowers residents to take meaningful steps that can prevent overdose, support long-term recovery, and save lives. Every visitor will leave with tangible resources, greater knowledge, and the reassurance that help is available and recovery is possible.
Community partners, including behavioral health providers, healthcare organizations, public safety agencies, recovery organizations and public health professionals, will join together to provide education, answer questions and connect residents with available services. The event will also introduce the board’s newest recovery housing initiative, highlighting local resources that provide safe, supportive environments where individuals can rebuild their lives in recovery.
“Every overdose prevented represents a life preserved, a family kept whole and another opportunity for recovery,” said Christine Lakomiak, executive director of the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services. “Every Life Matters is about more than raising awareness. It is about putting life-saving tools directly into people’s hands, connecting them with compassionate support, and reminding our community that recovery is possible. Whether someone is taking steps to protect their family, supporting a friend, or looking for help themselves, we want them to know they don’t have to do it alone.”
Throughout August, the board will partner with community organizations to promote overdose awareness through local media, social media, and educational outreach leading up to the event. The campaign emphasizes that substance use disorders are treatable health conditions and encourages individuals and families to seek help without fear or stigma.
