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Even as other crises wane and world politics have caused everyone to hold our collective breaths, the opioid crisis continues. Despite the world view, life goes on as it usually does, with the emergencies demanding attention much closer to home. There is a war going on right here in Columbiana County. And the facts don't lie.
Last summer the Ohio Department of Health and several bureaucratic collaborators released an update for a document titled "Ohio Drug Overdose Profiles: Columbiana County." This information is specific to Columbiana County with our approximately 101,883 residents. We would do well to take a few minutes to understand.
In 2010, fewer than 10 deaths per 100,000 were due to unintentional drug overdose. In just 10 years' time, the number of deaths per 100,000 is nearly 50. In 2017, there was a spike in overdose deaths related to cocaine, but fentanyl and its analogs (such as carfentanyl) took over in 2019.
"Multiple drugs are usually involved in overdose deaths," the authors of this report state. "Therefore, when classifying deaths according to drug involvement, individual deaths may be reported in more than one category."
Sadly enough, white, non-Hispanic persons are most apt to experience a drug overdose death, followed by Black, non-Hispanic, according to the report. Listed by zip codes, the number of unintentional drug overdose deaths are highest in 43920 (28), 44460 (13), 44432 (9) and 44413 (6).
Family Recovery Center's Project DAWN is one of the naloxone distribution sites in the county. Project DAWN, according to this profile, distributed 972 naloxone kits in 2019 and 858 in 2020, and trained 9675 individuals in 2019 and 660 in 2020 to administer naloxone. Reportedly there were 23 reported reversals in 2019 and 75 in 2020.
Tawnia Jenkins, counselor, peer supporter, Project DAWN coordinator, reports that in January 178 kits were distributed and 61 persons were trained. There were 10 known reversals. Last month (February), 54 kits were distributed, 77 persons were trained and there were nine reported reversals. The total for 2022 is 232 kits distributed, 138 persons trained and 19 reversals through the agency. A monthly report is filed with the Ohio Department of Health.
"Last year over 100,000 people died from drug overdoses, nationally," Joe Rawson, education director at Family Recovery Center stated.
New data for both Columbiana and Jefferson counties, which FRC provides substance misuse services, is due out this summer and is expected to show record overdoses. You can read about it at the Family Recovery Center's Facebook page.
To help cope with the opioid epidemic, the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRS) has been active promoting overdose prevention initiatives in Columbiana County, both on its own and through funding other agencies working for the same cause. Activities include the Drug Take Back Days in April and October, community education and physician education, Generation Rx, Project DAWN and treatment agencies, to name a few.
Stay tuned.
Addiction has no address, but Family Recovery Center does. For more information about the education, prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse and related behavioral issues, contact the agency at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or email, info@familyrecovery.org. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. FRC is funded in part by Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.