LISBON — Columbiana County mental health and recovery providers, law enforcement and other agencies will join forces again to reach out to residents in need of help through Operation BRIDGE Wednesday in Salem and Thursday in East Liverpool.

“This is all about supporting people who are struggling rather than punishing them for their struggles,” Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Director of Prevention and Outreach Lynsi Beagle.

Operation BRIDGE Days in the county are the result of a partnership between the county MHRSB and the county Drug Task Force and numerous other agencies. This will be the third year for Operation BRIDGE, which is described in a press release as “a statewide initiative supported by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and RecoveryOhio, designed to connect individuals with recovery resources through collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health providers.”

As in past years, the event will be held in two locations to maximize reach across the county:

— 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in downtown Salem on South Broadway Avenue, between East Pershing and West Wilson streets.

— 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday in downtown East Liverpool near the Way Station on closed blocks of West Fifth Street.

Attendees can expect free health screenings, on-site referrals to substance use and mental health treatment, and access to agencies offering employment assistance, food resources, homelessness prevention, veterans services, and children’s support programs.

“By continuing to host events in both the northern and southern parts of the county, we’re able to reach more individuals and connect them with the resources they need,” said CCMHRSB Executive Director Lori Colian said.

While Operation BRIDGE centers on strengthening access to treatment and recovery, it is designed to benefit the entire community, the press release said. Free meals will be available at each location, with organizers aiming to serve 1,000 meals over the two-day span. All Columbiana County residents are encouraged to attend and take advantage of these free, community-focused events.

“Ideally, we’d like to see folks struggling with substance use or mental health to come out and get connected to resources,” Beagle said.

She explained that the event can also help family member or friends of people struggling get information on how to help them. Anyone in the community can come and see the many resources available.

Between the two events, Beagle said there will be 32 resource providers besides CCMHRSB and the county DTF. Some of those agencies include the Family Recovery Center, Way Station, Ozer Ministries, Columbiana Metropolitan Housing Authority, Counseling Center, East Liverpool City Hospital, Community Action Agency of Columbiana County, Counseling Center, county Board of Developmental Disabilities, East Palestine Resiliency Center, Catholic Charities Regional Agency, the county Sheriff’s Office, county Prosecutor’s Office, House of Grace Resource Center and others. Beagle said the Ohio State Highway Patrol is expected also.

County DTF Director Detective Jesse Smith of the county Sheriff’s Office said previously that the DTF has worked hard to incorporate recovery and treatment into what they do by taking part in peer support and events such as Operation BRIDGE to help refer residents struggling with addiction to treatment.

The countywide stats for Operation BRIDGE from 2024, which took place in both Salem and East Liverpool, included 110 Naloxone kits distributed, 114 fentanyl test strips distributed, 723 hygiene kits distributed, 88 feminine hygiene products distributed, four individuals connected to treatment, 46 adult protective services inquiries, 43 adult guardianship inquiries, 700 meals served and 4,734 points of contact made.

For information or to participate as a service provider, contact Beagle at 330-424-0195 or lbeagle@ccmhrsb.org.