LISBON — Operation BRIDGE Days aimed at bridging the gap for residents needing access to immediate substance use and mental health care will take place July 15 in downtown Salem and July 16 in downtown East Liverpool.

The Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (CCMHRSB) and the Columbiana County Drug Task Force announced the dates and locations for the annual events which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on July 15 at Lincoln Plaza at the corner of State Street and Lincoln Avenue in Salem and on July 16 on West Fifth Street near the Way Station in East Liverpool.

According to a press release issued Monday, Operation BRIDGE stands for Bridging Recovery Interdiction Data Gathering Enforcement and is a statewide initiative supported by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and RecoveryOhio. Law enforcement and behavioral health professionals will join together to offer a safe, zero-judgment environment where residents can access immediate substance use and mental health care.

This year’s event will extend efforts to reach local military veterans with an expanded network of specialized veterans’ services and resources. The press release said veterans are experiencing “disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges and substance use disorders.”

Plans call for distributing hygiene kits, providing life-saving opioid reversal agents (Naloxone), and serving 1,000 free hot meals to people who attend. Live music will be provided by SoundSmith DJ Services and dozens of local organizations will be on-site offering access to resources such as housing assistance, healthcare screenings, and immediate treatment pathways.

“I look forward to these events every year because I see firsthand how a single day can completely rewrite someone’s future,” Lori Colian, Executive Director of the CCMHRSB, said.

According to the press release, “The long-term impact of Operation BRIDGE is evident in Columbiana County. Two years ago at the Salem event, a local resident accepted help for a substance use disorder. She credits the uniquely compassionate, non-judgmental atmosphere of Operation BRIDGE for her ability to successfully complete treatment, maintain long-term recovery, and transition into her current role as a certified peer recovery supporter who now gives back to the community.”

Operation BRIDGE is completely free, open to all area residents, and requires no registration to attend.