[ back ]
County agencies explore increase in opiate use
(Posted Sept. 1, 2010)
The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Madison County in conjunction with the Madison County Family Council is convening a group of community leaders and interested persons to explore the increase in opiate use locally.
The use of opiates has increased nationwide in the last few years with the central Ohio area seeing a significant increase in demand for treatment of opiate addiction.
From 2000 to 2008, the number of deaths in Ohio attributed to an overdose of prescription opiods such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet rose 280 percent. Records show that in 2008 Ohio pharmacists filled 4.8 million prescriptions for hydocodone medications like Vicoden.
“This is one prescription for every 2.5 people in the state…these numbers are staggering,” said Dr. Kent Youngman, CEO of the Mental Health & Recovery Board.
Locally, there were eight people in Madison County who sought help for opiate dependence in 2004. In 2009, the number increased to 60.
“When considered as a percentage, that is a 650 percent increase since 2004,” said Youngman.
The Madison Family Council reports hearing from many in the community about the damage that occurs when a family member is addicted to any drug, legal or illegal.
“Addiction is a devastating experience for a family. The increase in the use of opiates has a negative impact on every social service provider in the county. We look forward to working with the Mental Health & Recovery Board on this issue,” said Saundra LaPrise, director of the Madison County Family Council.
The initial meeting to explore opiate use in Madison County will be held Sept. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Madison County Department of Job and Family Services. For details, call the Madison County Family Council at (740) 852-5343 or the Mental Health & Recovery Board at (800) 435-7968.
[ back ]
