New report recognizes Sandusky Artisans

SANDUSKY — A new report recognizes Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center for offering an innovative approach to dealing with the ongoing drug addiction crisis.The report, "Ohio Innovations to Address Addiction," discusses 17 different efforts across Ohio to deal with substance abuse disorder. The 106-page report has just been released by the Addiction Policy Forum, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate addiction as a major health problem."The Ohio Innovation Now report recognizes revolutionary programs, such as the Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center, that are transforming the response to addiction in Ohio and offering solutions during a time of crisis," said Jessica Hulsey, founder of the Addiction Policy Forum.The report explains Sandusky Artisans, established in 1996, provides peer-based support, uses art for therapy and as a part of recovery, and holds an annual recovery walk in Sandusky.Sandusky Artisans is at 138 E. Market St. and will soon be using grant funds to renovate and improve its space.Another program highlighted in the report is Heartland High School, a school in Columbus that is Ohio's first recovery school. It opened in July 2019 as a private school for students with substance use disorders.The report also discusses Hope United in Akron, a program that plans to open Tyler's Redemption Place in 2020, described as Ohio's first-ever relapse prevention center. The full report is available on the group's website at addictionpolicy.org.Joey Supina, executive director of Sandusky Artisans, said he's pleased his organization received the honor.Everyone who works or volunteers at Sandusky Artisans is in long-term recovery, Supina said.Supina and his wife, Mary Supina, are both peer support trainers for Ohio. Joey Supina sits on Erie County's health board and also serves on the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services Planning Council, where he's responsible for peer support and recovery community organizations.Joey and Mary Supina, the directors of Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center, at a 2015 Unite to Face Addiction rally in Washington, D.C.