Policy

AUSTINTOWN — The OneOhio Region 7 collaborative discussed this week the need to come up with funding priorities for using dollars from the state’s opioid settlement.

Federal, state and local governments are scrambling to address the threat posed by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has set off the deadliest drug epidemic in American history.

Addressing the drug overdose crisis and substance use disorder (SUD) is an issue of great concern for our nation and remains a top public health priority for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The overdose reversal drug has been administered mostly by emergency responders and outreach workers. If the agency approves a nonprescription version, it could become as easily available as aspirin.

NORWALK — How are local officials supposed to fight the opioid epidemic when they don't know how much money they'll be receiving from opioid settlement funds?

Board members of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, a private, nonprofit corporation charged with distributing funds for local opioid-abuse relief, recovery and prevention efforts, held their monthly public meeting Feb. 8 at the County Commissioners Association of Ohio in Columbus.

A synthetic opioid up to 40 times more powerful than fentanyl is scrambling the public health response to the addiction crisis in a growing number of U.S. cities.

Key Points: A Cincinnati methadone patient calls methadone clinic rules 'a system of rewards and punishment.' A nonprofit's survey shows Kentucky and Ohio are among states restricting methadone more than the federal government does even as overdose deaths surge. Kentucky is considering changing methadone clinic rules to improve access and experience for patients. Ohio officials say their rules incorporate flexibilities for patients and doctors so that individuals have the best care but one medical director says the state micromanages treatment decisions.. Ohio has more than doubled its opioid treatment programs since the overdose epidemic started.