RELATED: Springfield mom indicted after daughter gets help during suspected OD
About 40 local leaders attended a meeting Tuesday in Springfield with Stephen White, Portman’s Central Ohio director and general counsel.
Portman’s staff called the meeting to inform local leaders about federal money available for the opioid epidemic, as well as to find out what gaps can be filled in the community, said Tracey Stute, director of treatment, prevention and support for the Mental Health and Recovery Board for Clark, Greene and Madison Counties.
At least 77 people are suspected to have died of drug overdoses this year, including 51 confirmed drug deaths, according to Clark County Coroner Dr. Richard Marsh. The county saw 79 drug deaths during all of last year.
It’s no surprise leaders believe more money and more sustainable resources are needed to help battle the epidemic, Stute said.
“It’s a common concern,” she said. “Often the way funding turns around doesn’t allow for a lot of planning time. We have regular needs assessments that drive the work that we’re doing but often the dots don’t connect with the funding. Sometimes opportunities are there and you have to put a plan in place.”
RELATED: Overdose leads Springfield police to hotel with drugs, 3-year-old
Last year, Portman’s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA, was signed into law by then President Barack Obama. It provides at least $181 million in new federal money for states and local communities to battle the fentanyl epidemic.
It includes dollars for prevention, enforcement and treatment and recovery, White said.
“As we all know, there isn’t a silver bullet,” he said. “There’s not just one solution. It takes a multi-faceted approach to combat this epidemic.”
Money is available for several different areas, including establishing drug courts, long-term recovery support and coordinating efforts between local mental health providers and the criminal justice system.
Clark County qualifies as one of 20 tier-1 counties — along with neighbors Montgomery, Greene and Madison counties — that have the highest overdose death rates in the state.
RELATED: New program seeks to reach Clark County overdose patients, save lives
Clark County is also expected to receive funding as part of the 21st Century CURES Act, which includes $1 billion for new money for state grants to fight the opioid epidemic. The county is expected to receive funding for a pilot program dubbed warm hand-off and safe house, but it’s unclear how much money will be designated.
The warm hand-off will allow addicts who want help to receive services at the hospital, including a therapist and a peer-support specialist who can provide access to a safe house for them to go to before they are placed in treatment.
“You’re not putting them right back into the same environment from which they came,” McKinley Hall Chief Executive Officer Wendy Doolittle said.
A portion of the money may also be used to help first responders with any trauma caused by the epidemic, she said.
“They’re getting nothing right now and they’re seeing overdoses and deaths every day,” Doolittle said.
The Springfield Fire/Rescue Division often sees overdose patients leave the hospital before medics can get their Narcan kits replaced in the drug bags they use at scenes, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Miller said.
MORE: Springfield dad arraigned after baby overdoses, revived with Narcan
“We’re consuming resources at a pretty exhausting rate,” Springfield Fire Chief Nick Heimlich said. “The warm hand-off is the next best solution we can develop, but it requires the ability to continuously process folks. … Anytime you get a closed door in that process, it backs up and shows up at our door step to the emergency room.”
The county has several important pieces in place, including a drug coalition, Narcan kits available, community forums and prescription drug drop-off boxes, which White cited as a strength.
One of the challenges is a lack of detox facilities in the county, leaders said. The Springfield Regional Medical Center is being used as a detox facility, Doolittle said, which steers clients to receive services from either McKinley Hall or Mercy Reach.
The Clark County Municipal and Common Pleas courts don’t have drug courts, but perform similar functions on a one-on-on basis, such as a Vivitrol program that keeps offenders from getting high on opiates, Municipal Court Director of Probation Marcie Reynolds said. It would likely take another judge and more probation officers to start a drug court, she said.
MORE: Money used to fight Clark County drug crisis at risk
Portman also has sponsored legislation to increase Medicaid coverage for up to 40 beds in residential addiction treatment facilities, as well as bills for pediatric recovery facilities and prescription drug monitoring programs. He’s also sponsoring to bill requiring packages shipped from foreign countries to provide electronic data on packages before they enter the country to keep fentanyl out of the country.
“It’s really a big push for us and we’re hoping to see it signed into law very soon,” White said.
SPRINGFIELD’S OPIOID WAR
Springfield churches unite to open recovery house for addicts
Drug, overdose epidemic never-ending battle for Springfield police
Overdose epidemic spreads, strains Springfield first responders
Demand for, debate over Narcan soars in Springfield
Clark County to charge addicts who OD and don’t seek treatment
Clark County leaders pledge to fight addiction stigma, OD crisis
BY THE NUMBERS
77: Suspected drug overdose deaths through June 20.
51: Confirmed drug overdose deaths through June 20.
79: Drug overdose deaths in 2016.
About this series: Springfield’s Opioid War
The Springfield News-Sun has written extensively about opioid and heroin problems in Clark County in the past five years, including stories about multiple overdoses in one weekend and efforts to expand treatment options. This year, the News-Sun will take a deep dive into the community’s opioid epidemic and what local officials are doing to solve the problem.
About the Author