Issue Position: Drug Addiction

Issue Position

Thesyringe, pills, drugs, addiction heroin epidemic in Ohio is out of control, and we have all seen its effects right here in our communities. Our own Stark County Coroner had to bring in a temporary morgue on wheels earlier this year because of the increase in overdose deaths from heroin.

In recent years, half of Ohio children taken into protective custody were removed from their homes because a parent had a drug addiction (Public Children Services Association of Ohio Factbook, 13th edition, 2017). This is costing Ohio taxpayers millions of dollars as these parents go through our penal system, and their children are forced into our foster care system. This is simply unacceptable. I will push for Ohio to come down hard on drug dealers who are ultimately responsible for overdose deaths, and work to ensure heroin addicts can get the treatment they need in a timely fashion. I also believe education is one key to dealing with this drug crisis, and will work to increase programs to teach our children the dangers of drug use, beginning in Kindergarten.

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