(Athens) – A new report released by the OHIO Alliance for Population Health shows a troubling shift in drug use trends amongst Ohioans. Over the last several years, overdoses have continued to rise and so has the use of the dangerous drug fentanyl.
In 1999, there were 327 overdose deaths in Ohio. In 2020, that number has increased to 5,018, according to the Ohio Department of Health. This troubling trend mirrors national data as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified three waves of opioid overdose deaths since the 1990s: prescription opioids, heroin and now fentanyl.
While all three drugs have the potential for overdose, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl causes overdoses at much smaller quantities, just two milligrams. In a medical setting, the margins between pain relief and an overdose are small with fentanyl; however, in a recreational setting, the difference between using enough for pleasure and using enough to kill is miniscule.
To quantify how much drug use trends have shifted in Ohio, the Alliance collects data on drug seizure by law enforcement agencies. Their findings are consistent with the Ohio Department of Health’s data. When seizure data for specific drugs was matched with overdose data, the OHIO Alliance found that fentanyl was seven times as deadly as cocaine and heroin.
Fentanyl also has an overdose rate 37 times higher than methamphetamine and 86 times higher than benzodiazepines.
Dr. Joe Gay, a staff member with the Alliance, said the Alliance was aware fentanyl was being used and overdoses were happening, but the extent still came as a surprise.
“For a little more than a decade there has been a significant problem with opioids and overdoses. So, that there was an overdose problem was not a surprise at all,” Gay said. “I would say to a degree fentanyl caught us not completely off guard … but it was a little surprising how bad it’s gotten now.”
Gay added that fentanyl itself has infiltrated the supply and all hard drug users in Ohio are at risk of facing fentanyl contamination. In the last decade, methamphetamine has become increasingly abused in the state. Cocaine and prescription painkiller use has also remained an issue. To compound these issues even further, fentanyl is being used to cut drugs like heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. It’s also being used to produce counterfeit painkillers. According to the DEA, 26 percent of all tested counterfeit pills contained a lethal dose of fentanyl.
The Alliance team has found a discrepancy in the distribution of overdose deaths. Most diseases that cause early death occur at marginally varying rates throughout the state. However, according to Gay, overdoses take place in orders of magnitude.
“There is a tenfold range in overdose deaths based on counties. There are some counties with very high rates and some with very low rates. So, you wonder why,” Gay said. “We’re exploring what the basis of these differences is. Poverty is an issue, community intactness is an issue, but it’s still not entirely clear what the driving factors are.”
To combat the risk of fentanyl, the Alliance urges Ohioans to understand the signs of an overdose and how to treat one. Right now, the best defense against overdose deaths is naloxone, an overdose treatment drug better known as Narcan. Narcan is available prescription free at pharmacies and can be ordered online through Harm Reduction Ohio.
The Alliance also urges individuals to protect themselves by avoiding the mixing drugs, being aware of the heightened risks of an overdose following a period of sobriety or avoiding the use of drugs. The organization also encourages drug users to seek treatment from providers certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
(Columbus) – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has approved more than $5.2 million through the NatureWorks grant program to improve recreation opportunities across the state.
“We are happy to partner with local communities to help them improve and develop outdoor recreation sites across the state,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “These grants will provide exceptional opportunities to expand local parks and encourage more people to get out into the fresh air.”
ODNR approved 115 projects in 79 counties. Projects include acquisition of new park lands and development of playgrounds, trails, restrooms, baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, swimming pools, kayak launches, disc golf courses, and more. Some approved projects include:
Scioto County
Valley Township Trustees for the Valley Township Park Amphitheater – $40,782
Delaware County
City of Sunbury for the Reservoirs Park Fishing Pier & ADA Access Walk – $46,974
Franklin County
City of Westerville for the Westerville Veterans Memorial – $150,000
A full list of approved projects can be found here.
“These grants provide us a way to invest in outdoor recreation all over Ohio,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “This program gives communities the opportunity to make their local sites better for their families, friends, and neighbors.”
NatureWorks grants provide up to 75% reimbursement assistance to local government subdivisions (townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts, and conservancy districts) for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas. Projects are funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue, which was approved by Ohioans in November 1993. Additional legislation authorized the creation of the NatureWorks Grant Program.
(Athens) – Ohio University Director of Athletics Julie Cromer will co-chair an NCAA committee charged with realigning Division 1 athletics.
(Photo: Ohio University Athletic Director Julie Cromer/Ohio University Athletics
The NCAA created the Division I Transformation Committee to implement recommendations that are expected to be made by its Constitution Committee that will transform college sports. Cromer will co-chair the committee with Greg Sankey, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.
“I’m honored to represent Ohio University and the Mid-American Conference in this work to realign Division I to best serve student-athletes in the future, given the changing landscape of college athletics,” Cromer said.
The NCAA’s Constitution Committee has been meeting since August and is asking each division to review its rules to ensure they are aligned with new principles.
“The NCAA is taking steps to reimagine itself to more effectively meet the needs of student-athletes, and we’re proud that Julie will play a crucial role in that effort,” Ohio University President Hugh Sherman said.
Cromer became Ohio University’s athletic director in August 2019 after serving in several roles at the University of Arkansas, Indiana University and the NCAA. Ohio University student-athletes have enjoyed a string of successes in her tenure, including multiple post-season appearances, record NCAA graduation rates in 2021 and a cumulative 3.32 GPA in the spring of 2021. In that time 18 student-athletes from eight different programs have received the MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Award, and 221 have received Academic All-MAC honors.
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Carter, Nelsonville-York Defensive Player of the Year: J.D. Brumfield, Fairland Coach of the Year: Rusty Webb, Symmes Valley
Special Mention Alec Dement, Fairland; Riley Kazee, Fairland; Mason Ward, Fairland; Levi Best, Symmes Valley; Tanner McComas, Symmes Valley; Brayden Malone, Rock Hill; Lane Smith, Rock Hill; Julian Martin, Belpre; Jayden Dowell, Belpre; Trent Mettler, Paint Valley; Dillon McDonald, Paint Valley; Seth McCloskey, Chillicothe Huntington; Dalton Black, Chillicothe Huntington; Clay Wilt, Frankfort Adena; Trusten McWhorter, Chillicothe Southeastern; Ethan McCune, Stewart Federal Hocking; Gavin Richards, Nelsonville-York; Jared Justice, Nelsonville-York; Clay Ferguson, Coal Grove; Steven Simpson, Coal Grove; Lakota Davis, Lucasville Valley; Ethan Sprankle, Crooksville
Division 7 First Team Offense RECEIVERS: Austin Wisor, Glouster Trimble, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Tucker Dixon, Glouster Trimble, 5-10, 140, Sr.;
DEFENSIVE BACK: Lane Cline, Waterford, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Jacob Huffman, Waterford, 6-2, 190, Sr.
Offensive Player of the Year: Tabor Lackey, Glouster Trimble Defensive Player of the Year: Blake Guffey, Glouster Trimble Coach of the Year: Bob Ashley, Portsmouth Notre Dame
The Broncos of Western Brown advanced to the Division 3 Regional Football Championship with a 35-28 victory over Jackson Friday at Waverly’s Raidiger Field.
It is the Broncos second win over the Ironmen this season, having won 33-28 in the regular season.
Western Brown’s Drew Novac accounted for 4 touchdowns, 2 by pass and he ran for 2 more. Jackson’s Jacob Winters threw 3 touchdown passes.
Here’s the scoring recap for the game:
1Q 6:36 – Jackson gets a 20 pass from Jacob Winters to Brodie Butcher. PAT Good. Jackson 7, WB 0
1Q 4:00 – Jackson’s Grant Mastin INT return to the 50. Unable to capitalize. Punt
1Q 34.1 -WB scores 2 yard run by Drew Novac. PAT Hood 7-7
2Q 9:31 – Winters to Butcher 13 yards PAT Good. Jackson 14, WB 7
2Q 6:43 – WB’s Zachery Chrisman 6 yard run. PAT Good Tied at 14
2Q Jackson has 45 yard run by Winters called back. No score due to penalty. Had to turn over on downs inside WB 20. WB drives to Jackson 2.
Drew Novac scores on 2 yard run at 1:20 PAT Good. WB 21, Jackson 14
2Q :41 – Winters to Tristan Prater for 57 yard TD. PAT Good. 21-21
Halftime- Jackson 21, Western Brown 21 Half ends on an INT by Tucker Williams in the end zone
3Q 8:48 – Prater INT for Jackson at the J38
3Q – Jackson uses a steady diet of Eli Broermann to the 30 chewing up 7:12, but turns over on downs. 21-21
End of 3Q: 21-21 WB with ball at Jackson 44.
4Q 11:09. Jackson roughing the passer on 3rd and long. To J 35. Landrum knocks down TD pass.
4Q 10:03 – WB’s Novac to Dylan Novak 17 yard TD. PAT Good WB 28, Jackson 21
4Q 9:54 – Winters 31 yard run to WB 30. Two more QB runs to WB 23. Broermann to 19. Broermann to 9. Broermann to 6. Broermann to 3. Broermann 3 yard run TD. PAT Good. 28-28 at 5:45 remains.
4Q 1:51 – WB answers. 18 yard pass from Novac to Logan Campbell. PAT Good. Western Brown 35, Jackson 28
1:49 – Jackson Own 22. Winters fumbles. WB recovers.
(11-2) Western Brown wins 35-28. They face Granville in the Regional Final next Friday, after Granville beat London 15-14.
Unbeaten and D-3 state top ranked Independence Blue Devils ended the (25-3) Adena Warriors volleyball state title hopes with a 25-22, 25-16, 26-24) sweep Friday at Wright State University’s Nutter Center.
(Photo: Adena’s Hannah Burns attack vs Independence- Litter Media/Mike Smith
The Warriors held a commanding 22-17 lead in the opening set, only to see the Blue Devils close on an 8-0 run for a 25-22 win, which might have been the turning point of the match.
Adena seemed rattled in Set #2, getting aced on serve five times and struggled to pass the ball in possession to get an attack going in a 25-16 loss, that never saw Independence trail.
The Warriors appeared to get their confidence back in set #3, taking their biggest lead at 18-10, but once again the Blue Devils battled back to take a lead of 22-20. Adena answered with a 3-0 run for a 23-22 lead, only to see Adena stave off one Independence match-point at 24-23, before eventually putting it away 26-24.
(Photo: Warriors Prepare Defense vs Independence- Litter Media/Mike Smith)
The Warriors were aced 8 times in the match, while Adena aced Independence 7 times. Neither team hit the ball that well, but the Blue Devils were a little better with a .202 percentage compared to Adena’s .136.
Senior Jenna Martin led the Adena offense with 7 kills, Ellie Harper 6, Makenna Lovely 5, Hannah Burns, while Sydney Foglesong, Makaela Lovely and Hannah Burns each had 4.
Hope Garrison had 18 assists, 4 aces and 11 digs. Camryn Carroll had 17 digs. Brenna McQuiniff added 8 digs.
Independence was led by Callie Prokopius with 11 kills and Hanna Wilson added 10. The Blue Devils had 46 kills compared to Adena’s 30.
Independence improves to (28-0) and faces unbeaten Liberty Benton Saturday for the Division 3 state title.
VOLLEYBALL (Division 3 State Semis at Wright State University) Liberty Benton 3, Christian Hills Academy 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-21) Independence 3, Adena 0 (25-22, 25-16, 26-24)
GIRLS SOCCER (Division 1 State Championship) Mount Notre Dame 4, Walsh Jesuit 1
(Division 2 State Championship) Chagrin Falls 1, Cincinnati Wyoming 0
(Division 3 State Championship) Waynesville 1, Ottawa Glandorf 0
FOOTBALL (Division 3/Regional 11 Semis) Western Brown 35, Jackson 28 Granville 15, London 14
(Division 4/ Region 15) Bloom-Carroll 35, Heath 6 St. Clairsville 35, Byesville Meadowbrook 0
(Circleville) — Gerhard Maroscher will be sharing about his story of miraculous survival of WWII, becoming refugees, fleeing communism, starving after the war and coming to the USA to live the American dream.
(Photo: Author Gerhard Maroscher/ from Visit Pickaway County)
The book talk will be Monday, November 15th at 7pm in the Joy House Coffee– 202 N. Pickaway Street in Circleville.
Come at 6:30pm to grab a seat and a drink before the talk. You can read more about his book, “Why Can’t Someone Just Die Around Here” at @themaroscherstory or https://www.themaroscherstory.com/
(Chillicothe) — The Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Services Board is honored to present Dr. John Gabis the ADAMH 2021 Advocate of the Year and the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) 2021 CARES Award. Both awards were presented to Dr. Gabis at the Adena Regional Medical Center Board Meeting today.
Dr. John Gabis was nominated for the ADAMH Addiction Advocate of the Year Award by Patricia C. Friel. Having served as the Ross County Coroner, and as an Adena Physician, Dr. Gabis has championed the fight against opiate drug overdose deaths in Ross County since 2012 and is a founding member of the Hope Partnership Project that was created in 2015. He has shown a strong commitment to promote awareness, services and hope to a hurting community which has resulted in successes in treatment, prevention, recovery, and resources. Dr. Gabis is a man of compassion and integrity as he leads the fight against substance abuse. He has shown unmatchable leadership in our community’s fight against substance use disorders.
Executive Director of the Paint Valley ADAMH Board, Penny Dehner, said “So many good things are happening in our communities and there is a steadfast commitment to quality treatment and recovery. It is important to celebrate and honor individuals doing extraordinary work. The Paint Valley ADAMH Board is so pleased to honor Dr. Gabis for making a difference in our Recovery Oriented System of Care by making sure our communities have the services that they need. Dr. Gabis received the Paint Valley ADAMH Board Addiction Advocate of the Year award in 2013, and his unwavering commitment to help individuals and families impacted with substance use disorder continues to lead the efforts to reduce overdose deaths in Ross County. While others have advocated, no one has sustained their level of commitment like Dr. Gabis and recognizing his continued efforts and nominating for the CARES award seemed like the right thing to do.”
Dr. Gabis was awarded the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA) 2021 CARES Award. This award is presented to first responders, frontline workers, and community leaders who have gone above and beyond in helping individuals, families, and their communities deal with the adverse effects of Ohio’s opioid and addiction epidemic. As a result of their actions, lives have been saved; families have been helped; and communities have benefited from their commitment to serving those in need.
Cheri L. Walter, CEO of OACBHA stated, “Through offering the CARES Awards, we hope to showcase the tremendous efforts made by frontline workers and local leaders to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by addiction. Thanks to Dr. Gabis’ compassion and commitment to helping others, he is a Champion of Recovery that has helped save countless lives and helped connect numerous people to the help they need to fight their substance use disorder and move toward recovery.”
