'Operation Bridge' Aug. 1-2 at Elyria Walmart to help with substance abuse recovery and services

Lorain County's Drug Task Force and multiple other law enforcement, court, social services, county and state agencies are partnering to host an "Operation Bridge" event Aug. 1-2. The event will be noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2 at Walmart, 1000 Chestnut Commons Drive in Elyria. According to the drug task force, the event "is designed to help those suffering from substance use disorders in our communities in need of assistance" by helping them get help to fight drug addiction and substance-use disorders. Operation Bridge is a law enforcement-directed event promoted by the Ohio Department of Public Safety partnering with mental health, substance-use recovery experts and others for the purpose of getting as many people as possible into treatment and removing as many barriers to treatment and recovery as possible. The goal is "to improve their quality of life as well as those that love them and depend upon them," according to a news release. The event will focus on recovery, but other services will be present to help remove barriers and increase the opportunities for success for underserved people and groups who may be struggling. Information can be found at onic.ohio.gov/our-services/bridge/bridge. Organizations will be on hand to get people into recovery; aid with housing, food, utilities, etc.; find jobs; getting a GED, college credits or building a resume; providing mental health services; and possibly to help get criminal records expunged. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be on hand to help people restore their driving privileges. If someone has a warrant for their arrest in Lorain County, court personnel, attorneys and a judge will be there to make sure that doesn't get in the way of them getting into treatment for substance-use disorder.