“It’s really all about bringing law enforcement and recovery resources together with people in need of support and of those services,” said Lori Colian, Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board executive director.

Operation BRIDGE is a statewide program made possible by a partnership between the Ohio Department of Public Safety and RecoveryOhio intended to connect those in need with recovery resources and strengthening access to treatment. Wednesday’s event featured several community support organizations including the CCMHRSB, the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, the Family Recovery Center, the Columbiana County prosecutor’s and sheriff’s offices, the Community Action Agency of Columbiana County, the Salvation Army, The Way Station, Ozer Ministries, and the Salem City Health Department.

Colian said that the primary goal of hosting local Operation BRIDGE Day events in the county is to get people into treatment, noting that they had time slots and beds set up in advance, including transportation for anyone who wanted to seek treatment. She also said that each year the events have successfully enrolled at least one person in treatment.

“We would like to get people scheduled into treatment, and we’ve had two signed up already today,” said Colian.

The first of two Operation BRIDGE Day Events was held in Salem as part of the third year of Operation BRIDGE Wednesday bringing together law enforcement, mental health agencies, and community groups from across Columbiana County on South Broadway Avenue to reach out to residents in need. A second event will be held from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. today in East Liverpool (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

In addition to connecting attendees with local resources and law enforcement, free food was distributed including burgers, hot dogs, cookies, bags of chips and bottled water. Colian said that members of the Drug Enforcement Task Force would be delivering food to members of the community in need who they were familiar with and speaking with them about the resources available at the event.

The first of two Operation BRIDGE Day Events was held in Salem as part of the third year of Operation BRIDGE Wednesday bringing together law enforcement, mental health agencies, and community groups from across Columbiana County on South Broadway Avenue to reach out to residents in need. A second event will be held from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. today in East Liverpool (Photo by Morgan Ahart)