Cincinnati Treatment Centers

The Ohio Department of Health has recently released a report that showed the worrying statistic that heroin continues to kill more people than ever before. In fact, in 2013, 983 people died as a result of it. And, frighteningly, prescription drugs continue to kill people as well, with 726 deaths in that same year. Both those numbers are increases from the year before.

Cincinnati's Drug Problem

Unfortunately, Cincinnati, OH, is not immune to the heroin and prescription opioid epidemic either. In fact, a public health crisis has been declared for the city and it has been found that this affects people regardless of their political, social, or economic status. 70% of people who die of an accidental overdose were using either heroin or another type of opioid.

This has given rise to a number of early intervention, prevention, and treatment initiatives. Partnerships have been formed between healthcare providers, addiction and treatment experts, educators, public health professionals, law enforcement departments, and the community itself. It is believed that, thanks to these partnerships, Cincinnati will see a marked improvement in its statistics when it is next investigated.

Initiative on Naloxone

One particular initiative that has been launched in Cincinnati is that of naloxone. This is a drug that can reverse an overdose from opioids. Unfortunately, Amphastar, the drug's manufacturer, has recently hiked its price for naloxone, which means it is now more difficult to hand it out freely. Between 2013 and 2014, naloxone was administered 101,000 times in the state of Ohio, a tenfold increase from previous years. And this has also lead to a reduction in overdose deaths, particularly in Cincinnati.

Other Initiatives

In order to combat drug and alcohol abuse, Cincinnati has put a number of initiatives in place, many of which also run across the state. These include:

• New prescription guidelines for opioid medication
• Increased availability of naloxone
• Increased powers for law enforcement professionals to prosecute drug traffickers
• An increase in availability for detox and rehab treatment through Medicaid coverage
• The "Start Talking" initiative, which is an early intervention program to steer young people away from drug and alcohol abuse, and towards healthy alternatives
• The HB 170 law, which made naloxone available to first responders and friends and family
• Increased funding for drug courts, sober living, and drug and alcohol prevention
• Training for law enforcement personnel and the general public on administering naloxone
• Increased drug and alcohol treatment for incarcerated individuals dealing with addiction

Essentially, Cincinnati wants to do two main things:

1. Make sure that those who currently suffer from a substance abuse disorder are able to get the treatment they need. This includes access to detox and rehab facilities, and also to naloxone. It is hoped, as indicated by preliminary evidence, that people who overdose will be saved by naloxone and will often find themselves in a place where they are more receptive to receiving treatment.
2. Prevent young people from turning to drugs in the first place. Through prevention and early intervention methods, young people are taught about the dangers of drug and alcohol and provided with better alternatives.