Portage Substance Abuse
Community Coalition 

The Portage Substance Abuse Community Coalition was founded by the Mental Health & Recovery Board in 2017 to address the increasing health concern regarding opioids as well as the ongoing issues in our community with other substances such as alcohol.

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This group of organizations and individuals are dedicated to preventing and treating substance use disorders as well as advocacy, education, and community partnerships to address the issue of addiction. The group meets bimonthly at the Kent Free Public Library. Members include health care professionals, first responders, elected officials, law enforcement, people in recovery, MHRB board members and staff, and community members.

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Work committees form as needed and meet separately. The treatment committee is an ongoing group that provides a space for Portage County treatment providers to come together and discuss continuity of care issues, overdose data, and share updates. The advocacy committee works on harm reduction strategies, stigma, and other local and state issues as they arise.

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The Coalition and the Mental Health & Recovery Board host an annual conference to provide an opportunity for the local community to learn about the latest treatment and trends and to network.