Gavarone named Legislator of the Year for work on opioid crisis

Wood County ADAMHS Executive Director Tom Clemons and State Rep. Theresa Gavarone.

State Rep. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, has received the 2018 Legislator of the Year Award from the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities.

The award was presented by Wood County ADAMHS Director Tom Clemons during the annual awards luncheon in Columbus.  Clemons, who is retiring in March, was also given an award from the association for his years of service.

“I’ve seen the damage the opioid crisis has caused both from my work as an attorney and witnessing the effects from people in my personal life,” Gavarone said. “That is really what made this a legislative priority for me and why I established a relationship with an expert like Tom Clemons very quickly after becoming State Representative.  I am proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and I look forward to continuing to work with the Wood County ADAMHS Board and OACBHA to positively impact the lives of more Ohioans.”

The OACBHA is the statewide organization that represents the interests of Ohio’s county Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health boards at the state level. Through working with the legislature, governor and other governmental bodies, OACBHA works to provide education, develop policies and seek support for initiatives that will expand and enhance mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery support services throughout Ohio.