Region sees uptick in opiate addiction-related offenses
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, issues with methamphetamine and other opioid related addictions have increased in the surrounding in themid Michigan area.
Drug addiction within Isabella and Clare counties has been an issue for many years.
“Methamphetamine and other drug addictions have affected our county, much like other counties across the state and nation. It is a real problem everywhere ,” Clare County Prosecuting Attorneymichelle Ambrozaitis said. “And, of course, it takes a toll on the criminal justice system because individuals who are addicted to controlled substances — illegal or prescribed — find themselves in situations where they are so consumed by their addiction they resort to stealing to sell the items so they can buy their next fix. So, not only are we dealingwith the possession and delivery charges but we also then deal with the ancillary breaking and entering, larcenies, retail fraud type cases as well.”
The Isabella area has had major issues with heroin and other opioids in the past, which took a major shift towards me th amphetamine addiction sin later years.
“Around 70-80% of drug cases have to do with meth,” Isabella County Prosecuting Attorney Da
vid Barberi said. “A playbook has been developed to provide a treatment plan but meth is probably one of the most addictive drugs and many have been dealing with addiction for a long time. There’s no clear recovery path.”
Methamphetamine-related drug abuse can affect anyone fromdifferent social or economic spheres and is generally a destructive drug that can heavily affect the users and their families.
“The impact on the family of someonewho is abusing controlled substances is far ranging,” Ambrozaitis said. “Fromloss of job, to inability to pay bills, to care for oneself or ones family— it reaches and affects every aspect of life.”
First time use of methamphetamine can start in high school or with young people as a last drug of choice as some young people start with cocaine, prescription drugs and heroin among other substances.
In terms of COVID-19 affecting the increase in cases, Isabella County has seen a substantial increase in cases. As of this year to date there have been around 180 drug related cases as opposed to lasted year with around 120 drug related cases.
“There’s a staggering increase and no concrete evidence as towhat caused it,” Barberi said. “I would say the additional stress, mental health issues, and the fact that meth is readily available makes a perfect storm. The current struggling adds fuel to the fire and I believe it to be a major contributing factor to the increase.”
The Clare area has also seen an increase in substance abuse during the pandemic and has already exceeded the number of overdoses and overdose relateddeaths that were seen in Clare during the previous year.
“The stay at home orders have isolated everyone, and that isolation is especially hard on individuals who have substance abuse disorder,” Ambrozaitis said. “The network and safety nets these individuals are used to aren’t as strong. Also, the reduced services because of the pandemic and the counseling sessions that have moved to zoom or other virtual means has also had an impact — not only on those with substance abuse issues but with those who might also be suffering from mental health issues as well.”
Isabella’s office is working on targeting those who deliver and sell thedrugs as larger networks frommajor cities bring drugs into the community.
“We have a good team trying to get the drugs but a tougher approach to those caught delivering is needed,” Barberi said.
Both the Isabella and Clare area have different programs available to help treat addiction. Isabella has a Drug Core programthat helps those with drug offences make a plea agreement. This allows an opportunity to get clean by giving credit for sobriety in jail and then be released to in-patient programs. There are also programs like Ten16 Recovery Network and Community Mental Health among others available.