Officials say levy for addictions needed

Heroin epidemic treatment sought

Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen had just attended a funeral before coming to City Council’s work session Oct. 17.

The funeral was for a 27-year-old woman who died of an overdose, and Jensen said things like that make it important to make sure the heroin overdose epidemic is defeated.

Avon City Council has jumped on board, like Sheffield Village Council, to support Lorain County’s Issue 35, which will help with the treatment and prevention of drug and alcohol abuse in the community.

The five-year, 1.2-mill levy will be for the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County.

The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $42 a year, or less than 12 cents a day. The levy would bring in an estimated $7.8 million.

“It’s (heroin epidemic) no better than if it was several years ago,” Jensen said. “This was a child in the prime of her life. It’s so sad to watch this happen.”

He said it doesn’t feel like the county is keeping up with the life-threatening epidemic.

The levy would allow for additional treatment and recovery support. This will bring less wait time for treatment of alcoholism, heroin and other drug addiction. It also will provide education and support in dealing with a loved one’s addiction.

“We’re here to help you and your community,” said Elaine Georgas, executive director of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County. “The levy will save lives through treatment and recovery support.”

When an addict wants help, she said, they want it right then and there or they may overdose the next time they use.

“Our coroner has been in every ZIP code in this county,” Georgas said. “We do not, however, want to ignore alcohol abuse and other addictions.”

Only 10 percent of Lorain County residents with issues receive help.

Emergency room visits are skyrocketing and Narcan is being taken everywhere. The county hasn’t had detox services since 1997 because it has a contract with those services in Cleveland, Georgas said.

She said there needs to be an investment in prevention especially with teens so they don’t start a path of addiction, she said.

There is no cure for addiction, but there is a potential for recovery, Georgas added.