Two Years Later: The Spark of Compassion Is Still Fueling Change

In July 2023, we released Igniting Compassion, a short film that challenged stigma and brought humanity to the forefront of the opioid crisis. It lifted up the voices of those who too often go unheard: people with lived experience, families, and care providers. Together, their powerful stories helped dismantle the stigma that surrounds substance use disorder (SUD), showing clearly that this is not a moral failing, but a complex health issue deserving of compassion, evidence-based care, and community support.

Since then, meaningful progress has been made. But our work is far from over. For the first time in years, opioid overdose deaths in Ohio have begun to decline. This is not a coincidence, but is the result of tireless work by those on the frontlines: community health workers, behavioral health professionals, harm reduction advocates, and policymakers who have fought for better access to treatment, expanded the use of naloxone, and championed prevention and recovery programs.

But we cannot let up on it now.

Progress is not the finish line. While the data is encouraging, the crisis continues, and it is evolving. Polysubstance use, the presence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl in non-opioid drugs, and persistent gaps in care are reshaping the landscape of addiction. At the same time, more nuanced challenges are coming into focus, including the experiences of individuals who use opioids to manage chronic pain.

Earlier this year, we released a report amplifying the voices of people navigating this complex intersection of pain management, stigma, and access to care. Their stories reinforce what we have long known: there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and solutions must be rooted in the lived realities of those most affected.

Our strategies must evolve, too. We must stay agile, informed, and deeply committed to meeting people where they are, with solutions grounded in equity, dignity, and collaboration. At WellLink, that is exactly what we are doing. We remain focused on building cross-sector partnerships, driving data-informed prevention strategies, and strengthening systems of support across Northeast Ohio.

The anniversary of Igniting Compassion is more than a marker in time. It is a call to keep going. If you have not yet seen the film, I encourage you to take 30 minutes to listen to the stories. If you have, I invite you to take the next step with us. Continue the conversation. Challenge stigma. Support policies that make care more accessible. And above all, keep compassion at the center of everything we do.

Together, we have made progress. We must keep going.