Ohio Psychedelic Crisis Response Training Program Continues to Move Forward
Ohio is stepping up to address a growing need in behavioral health. The state has become the first in the nation to offer specialized training for professionals who encounter people experiencing psychedelic crises.
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| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Ohio State University launched the PEACE Program with a $400,000 state grant |
| Training targets behavioral health therapists, law enforcement, and medical first responders |
| Psychedelic use among Americans rose from 2.7% in 2021 to 3.6% in 2024 |
| Emergency department visits related to psychedelics are increasing |
| Two additional trainings are scheduled for 2026 |
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A New Approach to Crisis Care
Ohio State University’s Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education developed the Psychedelic Emergency, Acute, and Continuing Care Education program. Dr. Alan Davis, the center’s director, explained the motivation behind the initiative.
“We really wanted to be a leader in the country in providing training,” Davis said. The goal is to equip professionals with basic skills to support someone in distress after a psychedelic experience.
The program combines online modules with hands on training sessions. The first in person session took place on January 12 at OSU. It focused on behavioral health therapists.
Growing Need Drives Innovation
The numbers tell a compelling story. According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, psychedelic use among Americans aged 12 and older jumped significantly over three years. Emergency departments are seeing more patients in psychedelic distress.
Marie Rose, a licensed professional counselor who completed the training, emphasized why this matters. “People use them,” she said. “We need to know what is going through their minds and how to help stabilize them.”
What Comes Next
The center plans to expand its reach. Two more training sessions will roll out in 2026. One will focus on law enforcement. The other will target medical first responders. Both sessions will be recorded and made available online.
Davis hopes other states will follow Ohio’s lead. For now, the PEACE program stands alone as a model for psychedelic harm reduction training in the United States.
