Mentor Fire Public Education Specialist, Nathan Peters, was honored at the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board’s Annual Meeting and Dinner with the “Our Advocate Award” for 2015.
The award recognizes those who promote the cause of the ADAHMS board and was presented as a result of Peters’ contribution to the Lake County Opiate Task Force since 2012.
“All too often, we see the consequences of not taking care of alcohol and drug addiction as well as mental health issues. But by reaching out to help others through these challenges, we get to witness that recovery is beautiful,” says Peters, echoing the ADAHMS theme – “Recovery is Beautiful”.
The Opiate Task Force is a group of organizations and individuals united in their commitment to reduce the tragic consequences that stem from the use of heroin and other opiates in Lake County, Ohio. Their mission is to combat the heroin epidemic through public education, collaboration, and wise use of available resources. Firefighter Peters has been a fixture in the initiative by assisting with the organization and management of the town hall meetings which have been held throughout Lake County as well as promoting the cause through education.
“Nathan has helped expand the focus of our education efforts from traditional topics to address those things which are causing the most harm in our community. In this case, opiate abuse,” says Bob Searles, Mentor Fire Chief.
Peters received proclamations from the Ohio Senate, the Board of Lake County Commissioners, the Ohio House of Representatives, and a Certificate of Congressional Recognition and Achievement from the U.S. House of Representatives, which were presented in person by Commissioner Judy Moran, Representative Ron Young, Representative John Rogers and Senator John Eklund.
Learn more about the Lake County Opiate Task Force at www.lakeopiatetaskforce.org