Page 2 - Dresden Buzz 09/05/2025

PAGE 2 | LOCAL NEWS SEPTEMBER 5 - 18, 2025
Overdose Awareness Week in Muskingum

County brings the community together to fight

the stigma, educate, and remember by Lynette Dotson

NEXT DEADLINE
Monday, September 15
NEXT ISSUE
Friday, September 19

PICKUP LOCATIONS
DRESDEN: Bonnie Longaberger Senior Center,
Scotties Den, Circle K, Thirsty Dawg, The
Warehouse Restaurant, Dresden Branch Library,
Creno’s Pizza, Beauty By Design, Dresden Buzz,
Main Street Pizzeria, The Mill, Agin Hardware,
Certified, Subway, Shrivers Pharmacy, Humble
Heart, Smore Baskets
FRAZEYSBURG: New Beginnings Drive Thru,
Dairy Queen, Frazeysburg Village Office,
Subway, Duchess Gas Station, Fallsburg Pizza
NASHPORT: Crenos Pizza
ZANESVILLE: Kroger, The Muskingum County
YMCA, John McIntire Library, Muskingum County
Center for Seniors, Mass Media Comics,
Denny’s Classic Diner, Fieldhouse Family Sports
and Wellness Center, Donald’s Donuts,
The Zanesville-Muskingum County Conference
& Welcome Center, The Elk’s Eye Art Market,
Walgreens (Military Rd.), The Carr Center,
Sunrise Bowling Center, Colony Square Mall,
Chatty Cat Cafe, A Taste Of Ohio Wine
Bourbon & Beer, Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl,
Riesbeck’s Food Markets
SOUTH ZANESVILLE: South Branch Library,
Darrell’s Donuts, Central Pike Coffee Co.,
Riesbeck’s Food Markets
AVONDALE: Tina’s Diner Levi Hall spoke during the Afternoon of Remembrance. Lynette Dotson
WEST PIKE: Litten Home Hardware,
West Side Market
Community Education and Aware- fer Lloyd, Assistant Director of Recovery ward a future where help is easy to find,
NEW CONCORD: Scott’s Diner, Wally’s Pizza, ness Family Fun Night, presented by the Ohio in Governor Mike DeWine’s office, where recovery is expected, and where
New Concord Branch Library, Creno’s Pizza,
Riesbeck’s Food Markets Zanesville-Muskingum County Health took to the podium for a few words from no one is left behind. Every life matters,
Department, was held on Monday, Au- the Governor. every story matters, and with compas-
DUNCAN FALLS: Duncan Falls/Philo Branch
Library gust 25, in the Health Department park- “Overdose Awareness Day is a mo- sion, connection, and courage, we will
ing lot. The event kicked off Overdose ment of remembrance, reflection, and continue this work together.”
ROSEVILLE: Roseville Branch Library,
Higgins Lumber, Midtown Bar and Grill, Awareness Week, which ran through Au- renewed commitment,” explained Lloyd. International Overdose Awareness
Old Town Pizza gust 31. It’s a time to honor the lives lost to over- Day is on August 31 each year. Lo-
Bold type indicates a location with an The event included a “Leave Your dose and to stand with families and cally, this year, a large group of people
outdoor newspaper box. Mark” activity, music by DJ Kurtus, food, communities forever changed by those who have experienced loss due to an
games, prizes, Narcan training, overdose losses. Governor DeWine created Recov- overdose gathered at the Muskingum
education, and community resources. ery Ohio to put a greater emphasis on County Courthouse for an Afternoon of
Community partners set up at the event substance use and the mental health Remembrance. The event was hosted by
including: Zanesville-Muskingum County needs of Ohioans. His vision was clear. Drug Free Muskingum.
Health Department-Mobile unit, Hard- Every Ohioan deserves the chance at a A tent was set up with free Narcan and
wick events brought their 360 Photo bright, healthy future. And that begins guidance on how to use it. Attendees
Booth, Cedar Ridge Behavioral Health with making care more available, more who did not get a chance to decorate a
Solutions handed out cotton candy, East responsive, and more human.” paver earlier in the week were invited
Side Community Ministries gave out sno- “Today, we remember that behind to do so in memory of a loved one. The
cones, Muskingum County Job & Fam- every overdose is a person, someone pavers were arranged on the courthouse
ily Services brought the popcorn, The loved, someone with potential, some- steps to create a “Leave Your Mark” dis-
Refuge Church- Steve Looker brought a one who mattered. And we also recog- play. An in-memory banner with pictures
bounce house & slide and handed out nize that overdose is not an isolated is- of people who were lost to an overdose
backpacks to school age kids, Laikyn’s sue. It’s deeply connected to trauma, to was also on display, and 97 names of
Legacy provided bracelet making, Pas- mental health, to access to care, and to loved ones lost were read aloud.
tor Steve Harrop hosted a book signing stigma,” Loyd continued. Monica Batteiger, Co-founder of Drug
for God Has A Man, Muskingum County Loyd spoke about Recovery Ohio say- Free Muskingum, spoke before inviting
Prosecutor’s Office brought blow-up axe ing, “At Recovery Ohio, we’re working a guest speaker to the microphone.
throwing, Muskingum Behavioral Health every day to build a system that brings “Today is not only about loss, it’s
brought an I Spy trailer, and the Musk- together prevention, treatment, recovery also about love, about resilience, about
ingum County Sheriff’s Office provided support, and mental health care. We’re breaking stigma, about reminding one
the opportunity for children’s IDs to be reducing stigma and creating safe plac- another that we’re not alone,” Batteiger
made on site. Also in attendance were es for people to seek help when they began.
Path Behavioral Healthcare, Brightview, need it through the promotion of our “For those who haven’t lost someone
Spero Health, Zanesville Fire Depart- recovery-friendly workplace program. to an overdose, it could mean choos-
ment, Skypoint Recovery, Cairn Recov- We’re creating tools to help people ing to learn, to listen, to see the human
ery Resources, LLC, Zanesville Post of navigate treatment options, and we’re being behind the statistic, standing in
State Highway Patrol, The Wilds, Musk- providing local communities with infor- solidarity with families who grieve, with
ingum County Library, Muskingum Coun- mation to respond to the realities of fen- the people who still struggle, it means
ty Literacy Council, Urban Greens, NAMI tanyl and other emerging threats with breaking down stigma, carrying com-
Six County, Project Ready, Muskingum our overdose early warning dashboard.” passion, and being ready to save a life
Area Mental Health & Recovery Services “But more than anything, this work if you can. Awareness is not just about
Board, Muskingum County Suicide Pre- is about people. It’s about listening to remembering the past, it’s about pro-
vention Coalition, Lighthouse Behav- those in recovery, supporting families in tecting the present and shaping a safer
ioral Health Solutions, Braeburn, Fam- grief, and making sure that every Ohio- future,” stated Batteiger.
ily Health Services of E. Central Ohio, an knows their life is worth saving. So “This week marks one year since I
Inc., Ohio University Zanesville, Student as we remember those we’ve lost, let’s lost my brother to an overdose,” shared
Social Work Association, Genesis Com- also recommit to action,” Lloyd said. Batteiger. “That grief, that loss, is some-
munity Ambulance, Future Plans, and In wrapping up her comments, Lloyd thing that I carry every day. It changed
Genesis Behavioral Health. had this to say. “Let this day move us
Near the opening of the event. Jenni- beyond silence, beyond stigma, and to-
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