TROY, Ohio (WDTN) – Officials in Miami County are responding to at least 50 heroin overdoses every month.
In an effort to stop the opiate problem before it gets worse, officials established the Miami County Heroin Coalition.
It was launched in January and started with 25 members. Since, it’s grown to 40 with people across the region joining the cause including CareSource and Premier Health officials.
“We didn’t want to go to the press until we had a story to tell,” said Steven Justice, a coalition coordinator.
One of their accomplishments is creating a brochure filled with treatment options throughout the county. It also includes services in Darke and Shelby counties. Justice says nothing like that existed before.
The coalition consists of the following four committees:
- First responders where fire crews and law enforcement will take a ‘safe harbor’ approach towards addicts. Instead of going to jail, users can opt into treatment. Justice says it’s a redemptive treatment method and possibly the first of its kind in the Miami Valley.
- Medical support, addiction and counseling services.
- Education and prevention.
- Faith-based resources.
Currently, no doctors in Miami County can prescribe Suboxone, according to Justice. Suboxone is a drug used to treat opiate addiction and curb cravings. Justice says the coalition is working with health officials to hopefully make access possible in the near future.
The coalition is holding a press conference Wednesday at 3 p.m.. 2 NEWS will be live streaming it and bring you the latest information.
