The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Sheriff’s Office holds roundtable with Kaptur
Sheriff Stammitti highlighted the importance of the continuation of federal funds earmarked for drug trafficking.
The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office recently hosted a special roundtable discussion with U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, according to a news release.
At the request of the Sheriff’s Office, Kaptur visited and discussed important issues impacting law enforcement, corrections and the Drug Task Force.
Sheriff Phil R. Stammitti highlighted the importance of the continuation of federal funds earmarked for drug trafficking, according to the release.
“Funds should be flexible enough to support local efforts that counter trafficking and provide a level of sustainability for those organizations working on the ground,” Stammitti said.
Chief Deputy Dennis Cavanaugh provided drug trends, citing a higher level of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine that is attracting new users across the region and described the Drug Task Force’s successes over the past year.
While the number of opiate related deaths and rates of overdoses are trending downward due to a multitude of reasons, including the federal designation as high intensity drug trafficking areas, Cavanaugh also credits the use of naloxone by first responders, the release said.
From a correctional standpoint, Capt. Jack Hammond described the impact to the County Jail operation as “significant” with increased medical and housing costs related to housing a greater number of opiate addicts as a direct result of the opiate epidemic, the release said.
The group also discussed the national Stepping Up Initiative that Lorain County has implemented with community partners collaborating to put practices into place throughout the entire criminal justice system to ultimately reduce the number of severely mentally ill in the jail, according to the release.
In understanding the jail has become the “de-facto” system for opiate detox and housing the severely mentally ill, the group was encouraged by Kaptur’s remarks in sharing a synopsis of the millions of dollars earmarked by Congress in the way of federal grants that could be accessed by state and local systems to assist in building innovative practices even across a regional setting for these types of issues, the release said.
Kaptur has worked with Congressional leadership to secure Ohio as a priority state for federal funds to combat the opioid crisis at every level, the release said.