Study: Opioid-related hospitalizations rising dramatically, especially among women
CLEVELAND, Ohio - A federal government report has found opioid-related hospitalizations went up dramatically over the past decade, and at a much faster rate for women than men. Local health experts say the study is further proof that issues with prescription painkillers and heroin don't discriminate. Jesse Russell knows the struggle of addiction firsthand. "You would not believe how hard of a habit it is to break," he said. "It's just impossible." Russell has been battling addiction his entire adult life. He says a lot of women he's close with have gone through the same thing, including his young cousin, [...]
Heroin: Now The Leading Cause Of Death In Americans Under 50
The Unites States of America is facing the worst health care crisis of our nation’s history. Over the past two-year period, more Americans died of opiate addiction than died in the entire Vietnam War. Drug overdoses now cause more deaths than gun violence and car crashes. In fact, accidental opioid overdoses are responsible for more deaths in 2015 than HIV/AIDS did at the height of the epidemic in 1995. However, the AIDS epidemic can be the blueprint for the United States approach to the opioid epidemic. Once America became mobilized against AIDS, Congress orchestrated intensive efforts devoted to training and supporting [...]
Officials: Cuyahoga County has seen 43 overdose-related deaths since Memorial Day
CLEVELAND - There have been more than 40 drug overdose-related deaths since Memorial Day in Cuyahoga County, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office. The 43 total deaths were recorded between May 26 and June 7—a 13-day stretch. The deceased ranged in age between 21 and 67, according to the Medical Examiner's Office data. Of the 43, 29 of the victims were male and 14 were female. More than half (20) of the victims lived in Cleveland. Other cities included Lakewood, Westlake, Parma and Elyria, among others. All of the cases remain under investigation. There have been 315 reported [...]
The Triple Threat on our Doorstep
A series of panel discussions that bring residents, community partners and local experts together to engage in open conversation about the opioid epidemic. These events empower community members by connecting them to the resources and information they need to combat the opioid crisis. REGISTER: Registration is REQUIRED. To register online go to www.ccf.org/gcrevents and enter the key words “Triple Threat” into the search function. For information, call Janice at 216.363.2019. Please share it with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors, we are all in it together!
Federal prosecutors in Cleveland want to create ‘strike force’ to combat opioid abuse, violent crime
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Federal investigators and prosecutors in northern Ohio are seeking to create a new "strike force," a designation that would put more money toward combating the heroin scourge and violent crime in northern Ohio through aggressive law enforcement. The strike force would pool resources from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. If approved, the efforts would piggyback on the work already being done by agents who work with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Acting U.S. Attorney David Sierleja said the strike force would encompass the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force, which brings together agents from the FBI, [...]