News Article

DeWine proposes ways to combat escalating opioid abuse

Praises Lucas County's sheriff, drug-intervention programs

Friday, January 27, 2017

by The Toledo Blade

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today told a gathering of area law enforcement officials that his office works to assist their needs.

Mr. DeWine spoke for about 20 minutes to the Metro Toledo Criminal Justice Administrators group at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon. He outlined a series of proposals to address escalating opioid abuse statewide, and reiterated his support for the departments.

Accidental overdoses killed on average about eight people each day last year in Ohio. Mr. DeWine said it appears the numbers continue to increase.

“I don't know that we've hit the bottom yet,” he said.

The attorney general said he was pleased, however, that much of the state now acknowledges the problem and is working toward a solution. He praised Lucas County Sheriff John Tharp and said other counties are attempting to replicate his drug-intervention programs.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2017/01/27/DeWine-proposes-ways-to-combat-escalating-opioid-abuse.html