Community

Opioids: Turning the Tide in the Crisis

00000174-c556-d691-a376-cdd69e980000Day after day, week after week, the headlines in Northeast Ohio and across much of the country contain news of tragic loss: lives lost to opioids. It’s a problem that knows no bounds: geography, race, gender, level of education or income.The problem took on new urgency this summer as the powerful elephant sedative, Carfentanil, began hitting the streets. First responders armed with their only weapon, the overdose antidote Naloxone, have struggled to keep up with what’s become an overwhelming problem. It’s an issue that’s straining public and social resources. What has become clear is that business as usual is not going to fix the problem.WKSU news has been covering the unfolding crisis. Tuesdays during Morning Edition, the WKSU news team digs even deeper. WKSU reporters will examine what’s led us here and what might be done to turn the tide. Support for Opioids: Turning the Tide in the Crisis comes from Wayne Savings Community Bank, Kent State University Office of Continuing and Distance Education, Hometown Grocery Delivery, Mercy Medical Center, AxessPointe Community Health Center, Community Support Services, Inc., Medina County District Library and Hudson Community First.00000174-c556-d691-a376-cdd69e980001

DeWine Warns Ohio Lawmakers Will Have to Control Fly-by-Night Drug Clinics

Ideastream Public Media | By Karen Kasler

Published January 16, 2018 at 7:27 PM EST

photo of audience at opioid conference — The audience at conference on opioids listens for ideas on what they can do to help fight the epidemic.

State stats show overdoses from opioids – including heroin and fentanyl – are killing at least nine people a day. And that figure is likely to rise by the time new numbers are released this summer. The crisis brought advocates to Columbus for a daylong conference on how local groups and communities can fight it.

The conference was aimed at people who work with victims and survivors of opioid addiction, to help those advocates share ideas. Attorney General Mike DeWine says while there have been thousands of overdose deaths, there are some communities making progress.

“What you’re seeing in Ohio is different communities handling this differently. And there’s nothing wrong with that. That enables us to maybe take a good look at what works.”

While DeWine says drug courts are working well, the desperate need for treatment has created “fly-by-night” operators running cash-only clinics and unregulated facilities. DeWine says state lawmakers need to deal with that right away.