Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
Fall 2025
Abstract
Goal Statement: The goal for this Social Change Portfolio is to reduce the alarming number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Akron, Ohio, through prevention, education, and strengthened community support systems. Significant Findings: This paper examines the high rate of fentanyl overdoses in Akron, Ohio, and how communities are deeply impacted by the opioid crisis, with fentanyl-related overdoses emerging as the leading cause of preventable death. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin and morphine, has skyrocketed overdose fatalities both nationally and locally, with Summit County reporting overdose rates higher than national averages (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). Lower-income families, minority groups, and younger adults suffer from increased rates of trauma, grief, family instability, and economic strain within the community (Parents Lead, n.d.). As highlighted in the Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Model, prevention efforts stress the importance of comprehensive strategies that move beyond treatment to include early education, harm reduction, and community engagement (Parents Lead, n.d.; Tucker, 2015). Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps As counselors, educators, and prevention specialists, we can adopt evidence-based programs such as LifeSkills Training to equip individuals with coping skills, emotional regulation, and resistance strategies against substance use. Partnering with Akron Public Schools and prevention providers can ensure early intervention among at-risk youth. We could also collaborate with certified peer recovery supporters to provide ongoing support to individuals struggling with opioid misuse in their families. We can advocate for naloxone distribution and training in communities that could provide life-saving doses of Narcan in times of need. We could draw on resources such as the OASIS database and county health rankings to monitor overdose trends, identify high-risk populations, and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention strategies. Data-driven decision-making ensures that interventions are both timely and targeted. And finally, we can provide family education sessions, grief counseling, and community forums to address the social and emotional ripple effects of overdose deaths.
