Kicking Ohio's Opiate Habit: Coming Sunday

BEREA, OH - Coming on Sunday, Patch will explore Ohio's opiate addiction through the eyes of a former addict that is making steps to alter how police approach heroin and fentanyl users.

In October 2016, the Democrats in the Senate Finance Committee released a report on the nation's opiate addiction. In the report, Ohio is called the "face of the opioid" epidemic. It's a designation the state has paid for in suffering and loss. In January 2017 alone, at least 60 people were killed by heroin or fentanyl.

Northeast Ohio could be in for a record-setting and devastating 2017. As Patch reported in March, if the current pace holds, more than 800 residents will be killed by overdose this year. By comparison, in 2016, there were a projected 608 overdose deaths. In 2015, there were 370 overdose deaths.

How does Ohio overcome this spiraling addiction crisis? One Ohio woman believes she may have part of the answer.

Read the full story on April 16.

Photo from CDC and Patch