Woman overdoses in Recovery Court

A woman was transported by LifeCare to a local hospital about 10:45 a.m. June 6 after officials say she suffered an apparent opioid overdose while sitting in Lorain County Recovery Court in Elyria.

Recovery Court is one of two specialized dockets run through the Lorain County Common Pleas Court.

Recovery Court focuses on nonviolent drug offenders while the other docket focuses on issues with veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Common Pleas Judge John R. Miraldi, who runs the docket, said the young woman had completed the first phase of the program and had been sober for 100 days before the apparent relapse. Her age or where she lives was not readily available.

“What we learned is that she had some medical treatment in the last week and we believe she was prescribed some narcotics,” Miraldi said. “We don’t know the details, whether she disclosed her addiction or not. We believe that led to a relapse.”

Miraldi said this was the first overdose in the courtroom in the 18 months it has been in operation, but the court has a procedure in place for when it occurs.

“One of the treatment providers had Narcan available,” he said.

“An initial dose wasn’t enough.

We called the (Lorain County Sheriff’s) deputies who have Narcan here in the building. They administered a second dose and as a backup, we called 911.”

According to Miraldi, after the woman received a third dose of Narcan, she became responsive and was transported to the hospital.

The incident is a walk-up call to what is taking place throughout the county with people addicted to these substances, he said.

“It was a stark wakeup when what happens on the streets visits you in the courtroom,” the judge said. “I personally have never seen anyone overdose. I know that my staff had not

seen anyone overdose.

“It was a stark realization of how close these people come to dying right in front of you; and they will die without immediate medical treatment.”

Miraldi wanted to thank the treatment team, the deputies and LifeCare ambulance personnel for their speedy response in saving the woman.

However, he said he doesn’t know if the experience will have an impact on the other participants in the courtroom.

“I’m sure they’ve all seen it,” Miraldi said. “That’s what’s so puzzling about this particular addiction is they see people almost die, yet the pull to keep using is so strong.

“It’s just another reminder that this problem is not getting better and that young lives are at risk.”