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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Opioid-Fighting Efforts in Ohio Get $16 Million Boost

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Thursday, September 20, 2018   

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio is getting a $16 million piece of a $1 billion pie to help combat the opioid epidemic.

The funding announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will go toward prevention efforts in both rural and urban communities, and for health centers in the state to expand substance abuse services. Nisha Patel, associate director of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy at HHS, said last year alone, there were 60,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. - two-thirds of which were attributed to opioids.

"And so this is something that's continuously rising,” Patel said. “It started out with prescription painkillers, leading to heroin. And now we're seeing Fentanyl, which is 50-100 times more potent."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Ohio saw more than 3,600 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016, which is more than double the national rate.

The investment is being made to help communities determine where there are gaps in services and develop plans to address those challenges. Patel noted that while prevention is key, focus is also needed on treatment and recovery options.

"And so, making sure that there are enough doctors, there are nurse practitioners, there are recovery coaches, there are peer counselors who have the experience and expertise to be able to support individuals as they are ready to enter treatment and go through recovery,” she said.

Patel said families affected by addiction also need support, and should be made aware of resources within their communities to help loved ones. And when someone is ready for treatment, she added, options should be readily available.

"We can't force individuals to start treatments or go through recovery, but we need to be there to support them in their efforts,” Patel said. “And so, even if they have overdosed more than once and ended up in the hospital, we're continuing to find ways to make sure they know what services are available."

Meanwhile, on Monday, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan opioid legislation calling for new research into non-addictive painkillers, and expanded treatment and supports for people affected by addiction.

Reporting by Ohio News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the George Gund Foundation.


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