News

As states and localities begin receiving the money, advocates are pushing for it to go toward public health programs, and to avoid some practices that emerged around the 1990s tobacco settlement.

As cleveland.com’s Gretchen Kuda Croen recently reported, modeling suggests that a tidal wave of drug overdose deaths is coming – to Ohio and the nation. And with Ohio, the seventh most populous state, ranked No. 4 in drug overdose deaths in 2020, there’s little doubt that the state and region will again be in the eye of this tragic storm.

Health, public safety officials stress importance of outreach

What You Need To Know: Opiate-overdose deaths in Summit County are not declining despite the work of multiple agencies. Since 2020, the number of opiate-related deaths has risen 70%. The county recorded an 18% increase in overdose deaths among African American women. Agencies are focused on assisting drug users through harm-reduction and support strategies.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in observance of the state's second annual Overdose Awareness Day today released the 2021 RecoveryOhio Annual Review, which gives a detailed overview of the work that RecoveryOhio has done to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery support efforts that address the state’s public health crisis – mental health and substance use.

While Franklin County had a slight decline in overdose deaths in 2021 compared to the previous year, it is still the second highest total recorded as the number of fatal drug overdoses continues to soar throughout Ohio and the U.S.

What You Need To Know: State flags across Ohio, displayed at all state buildings and public institutions, are flying at half staff in honor of Ohio Overdose Awareness Day. Aug. 31 is recognized internationally as Overdose Awareness Day, and in Ohio this year RecoveryOhio is launching a new website to provide Ohioans with a simplified process to get naloxone. Ohio residents can visit Naloxone.Ohio.gov to get the medicine. Franklin County has multiple events today to raise awareness and offer fentanyl test strips, naloxone and Narcan to residents.

CLEVELAND - Fourteen members of a drug trafficking organization operating in Northeast Ohio were charged today after a grand jury returned a 38-count indictment, alleging that the defendants participated in a conspiracy that distributed over 5 kilograms of cocaine, over 280 grams of crack cocaine base and fentanyl throughout the area.