The Lake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to proclaim Aug. 31, 2025, as Overdose Awareness Day in Lake County, Ohio, and heard details of planned public events and ongoing local efforts to reduce overdose deaths.

During public comment, resident Chris Baheri urged a moment of silence for people and families affected by overdose; the board acknowledged his request before taking up the proclamation. Kim Frazier, speaking on behalf of the Lake County ADAMS Board, told commissioners the county has seen a decline in overdose deaths since 2022 and credited expanded Medicaid coverage, prevention work and increased treatment access for part of that change. Frazier cautioned that recent and proposed cuts to programs could make services harder to reach.

Frazier outlined local harm-reduction and recovery efforts and said the ADAMS Board is partnering with the city of Willoughby to host a recovery-focused event on Overdose Awareness Day. The concert, billed as a “Recovery Concert of Hope,” will be held at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby, rain or shine, and will feature Opus 216 (a string quartet performing modern and rock arrangements), music therapists, food trucks and family-friendly programming. Frazier said the event will be drug-free and include education about Narcan distribution alongside information about treatment and recovery options.

The commissioners approved the proclamation with a voice/roll call recorded as: Commissioner Plecnik — Yes; Commissioner Beveridge — Aye; Commissioner Reggovich — Yes. The resolution was moved and seconded on the record and carried without extended discussion.

The ADAMS Board’s remarks emphasized continuing outreach, awareness and connection to treatment as local budget pressures threaten services. Commissioners and staff did not specify additional funding actions at the meeting.