Drug And Alcohol Addiction In Akron, Ohio
Akron is the fifth largest city in the state of Ohio and is located in Summit County. As is the case throughout the state, Akron is suffering from the effects of the Opioid epidemic. Residents may abuse Fentanyl or a variety of synthetic Opioids; many who transition to eventual Heroin use do so because the drug is more affordable and accessible than the prescription Opioids they began using in the first place.
The good news for those suffering, or for those who have friends and family members faced with the peril of addiction, is that treatment options are available locally for those who struggle to maintain a healthy relationship with drugs and/or alcohol.
Opioid Addiction In Akron
Summit County has been devastated by the powerful synthetic drugs Fentanyl and Carfentanil. These drugs were sending an average of 20 people to the hospital per day. There was a marked increase in overdose deaths within Akron relatively recently; authorities report that relevant fatalities grew from 25 in the first 4 months of 2020 to 60 in the first 4 months of 2021.
Akron narcotic officers said they discovered Fentanyl mixed with street drugs other than Heroin as well. They also noted that street dealers generally sell a variety of drugs, from Marijuana to Heroin.
Treating Addiction In Akron
In 2018, Akron was personally touched by the overdose of local school board member John Otterman. He was found unconscious alongside a white substance that tested positive for Fentanyl, as well as Marijuana. Otterman was given 4 doses of Naloxone before he was revived and sent to the hospital for further treatment. Otterman encouraged equipping every public school in Akron with Naloxone. The board eventually approved the plan.
As governor, John Kasich announced that new rules were necessary for companies that distributed drugs in the state. He commented that “total clarity” is needed for where drug distributors sell their products. Across the country, drug distributors are under pressure to take a stronger lead in the fight against the ongoing addiction epidemic. Multiple lawsuits have accused distributors of not monitoring suspicious drug orders closely enough.
Some Ohioan entrepreneurs are taking the drug epidemic into their own hands. Some companies are forming non-pharmacological pain treatments, others are creating tech solutions to make sure people take the correct dosages of medication, and another is focused on treatment and support for those struggling with addiction.
Summit County received a grant of $1.3 million for efforts aimed at diverting low-level felony offenders from jail. That money is being used by Greenleaf LLC to decrease the backlog of assessments for Summit County’s intervention program for substance abuse and mental health issues, a program that helps criminal defendants find treatment.

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If you or someone you love is having trouble quitting drugs or alcohol in Akron, know that treatment is available. You’re not only able to make the choice to move towards getting clean, but there are also multiple resources that might aid in staying clean once you’ve gone through initial detox. Help is out there. Contact a treatment provider today for more information.
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Jeffrey Juergens

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Jeffrey Juergens earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Jeffrey’s desire to help others led him to focus on economic and social development and policy making. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. Jeffrey’s mission is to educate and inform the public on addiction issues and help those in need of treatment find the best option for them.
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