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RECOVERING PEOPLE'S PLATFORM

Substance use disorder (SUD) continues to be one of the most urgent public health challenges facing Ohio. While the state has experienced record levels of overdose deaths and increased demand for treatment, there is also a growing recognition that recovery is possible—and that it must be supported beyond the clinical setting. Recovery support services play a vital role in helping individuals build and sustain long-term recovery, reconnect with their communities, and lead meaningful, self-directed lives.

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Ohio has made meaningful strides in recent years. The expansion of Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs), growing investment in peer support services, and the development of recovery housing have strengthened the infrastructure available to people in recovery. These services, led by people with lived experience, provide essential non-clinical support that complements treatment and fills critical gaps in the recovery journey.

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However, despite this progress, access to recovery support remains uneven across the state. Many communities, particularly in rural areas or communities of color, still face limited availability of services. Barriers such as unstable or inconsistent funding for recovery supports organizations, workforce shortages, stigma, and lack of transportation continue to prevent too many Ohioans from accessing the resources they need to thrive in recovery.

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To build a recovery-ready Ohio, we must listen to the voices of people with lived experience and invest in community-driven solutions that reflect the diverse needs of individuals and families. This means not only expanding access to services but ensuring those services are equitable, culturally responsive, and sustainably funded. As we take stock of where we are and what remains to be done, it is clear that recovery is not just an individual journey—it is a collective responsibility.

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​OCAAR’s advocacy is informed by Ohio’s recovery community through town hall listening sessions, advocacy caucuses, and OCAAR’s annual Recovering People’s Convention.

Recovery Community Organizations

We will actively advocate for and educate local stakeholders about the vital role of RCOs. Our goal is to drive county boards to support and fund RCOs across Ohio. Over the next five years, we are committed to expanding RCOs in every county throughout the state.

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Our Policy Agenda:

  1. Support the expansion of recovery community across all Ohio counties. 

  2. Expand community understandingh of recovery community organizations

  3. Formalize RCO-specific certification process that fits the needs of recovery community organizations

  4. Establish equitable accessibility practices for RCOs in application processes and policies

Peer Support

Ohio certified peer recovery supporters will have clear pathways for career advancement, with opportunities for additional education and experience to enhance their expertise and grow within their field. Peer supporters deserve workplaces that are supportive and peer-friendly. 

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Our Policy Agenda:

  1. Establish clear and consistent practices and guidance for billing and payment for peer support services

  2. Elevate the professionalization of the peer workforce

  3. Establish a clear career ladder for peers with commensurate pay

  4. Support the development of more peer-friendly work environments

Housing

OCAAR advocates to increase the availability of high-quality, affordable housing in Ohio for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Housing includes recovery housing, affordable independent rental housing for low-income individuals and families, and viable options to assist individuals with SUD to purchase and maintain home ownership.

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Our Policy Agenda:

  1. Standardize zoning laws across Ohio to ensure consistency and facilitate the expansion of housing for people with substance use disorders

  2. Reduce barriers to housing for individuals with drug-related criminal records 

  3. Expand supportive housing for parents with SUD and their children

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Decriminalizing Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorder is a medical condition that should be treated with care and compassion—not criminal penalties. Criminalizing individuals for substance use fuels stigma, disrupts recovery, and disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. We support a public health approach that diverts people from the justice system and connects them with the support they need to heal and thrive.

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Our Policy Agenda:

  1. Support legislation that removes criminal penalties for personal use and possession of controlled substances.

  2. Expand diversion programs that redirect individuals with substance use disorders into treatment and recovery support instead of jail.

  3. Promote policies that seal or expunge records for nonviolent drug offenses to reduce barriers to housing, employment, and reintegration.

  4. Advocate for investment in recovery support services as alternatives to criminal justice involvement.​

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