This past week the United States recognizes this week as National Drug Facts Week. Richland County has a variety of private or public programs devoted to drug prevention and treatment to youth. The Richland County Substance Abuse Treatment Court (SATC) – also known as the “drug court” is part of this initiative.
According to a recent article published on a public drug forum, Ohio Attorney Mike DeWine agrees that the solution for eliminating drug use includes three areas: education, prevention, and treatment. Richland County Drug Court and Community Action for Capable Youth (CACY) are just two examples of how these three areas are covered in Richland County.
The drug court was created at the request of Judge James D. Henson and started on April 1997. Within the first year of operation, Richland County became the first Ohio county to implement a drug court on every judicial level.
According to Chief Probation Officer and Program Director Dave Leitenberger, over 1,000 people have graduated from the drug court since 1997. In 2013, the drug court serviced a total of 176 people struggling with drugs, with a graduation rate of 70 percent. Individuals are free of criminal charges upon completion of the program.
“People with addiction problems are just as much victims as someone who’s house is burglarized,” said Leitenberger.
Leitenberger stated that 70 percent of all the individuals treated are struggling from heroin and pain killer addictions.
Once someone is admitted to the Drug Court’s program, the court receives intake data so qualified specialists try to understand the demographics behind the drug. This data will identify how to best treat the addict. The individual then is assigned a specific addiction treatment program that is taylored to their needs. Up to 18 to 24 months can be spent in the program.
The drug court offers a residential facility where the addict receives supervision, monthly individual assessments, and twice per month mandatory meetings.
The drug court also works with Edge Plastics Inc. in Mansfield, a local company that specializes in manufacturing storage totes. Operations Supervisor Scott Phillips and Human Resource Manager Stephanie Fackler work together to hire people from the treatment program.
“We don’t bring in addicts. They are valuable assets to the company,” said Phillips. As a team, Phillips and Fackler work to offer their employees accountability with drug addiction recovery. A success story is Alyssa Sloan, who has been free from heroin for two years, but has been in the drug court’s program for over four years.
“At first, I thought everyone was against me. It took me a while to realize they were trying to help me. I have been clean for two years now. It’s wonderful at Edge. I feel like [we are] a family,” commented Sloan.
Sloan worked for Edge Plastics Inc. since August 2013 on a temporary status. Edge offered her a full time position in November. Edge Plastics Inc. is an example of a part of the community helping combat the drug problem in Richland County.
“I am not just in Human Resources. I am also in Human Relations because I really do care about the employees. I feel like a mom sometimes,” said Fackler.
Heroin is a serious problem in Richland County but other drugs should not be overlooked.
A study conducted in DeWine’s offices stated that “in 2013 there were over 800 deaths directly attributed to heroin.” Despite heroin’s dangerous effects to residents in Richland County, other drugs like pain killers and “Molly” are making a presence.
Although use of this “rave” drug is relatively low, knowledge of its existence is key, according to Executive Director of CACY Tracee Anderson. “Education and training for parents and students and the community is a key component in not being passive aggressive [about drug prevention]. Information is good.”
In a newsletter released by CACY, a Drug Abuse Warning study states: “From 2004 to 2009 there was a 123 percent increase in emergency room visits due to MDMA,” also known as Molly. Tony Tambasko, Crime Lab Specialist for Mansfield, said that an analysis of the drug in 2013 resulted in a mixture of harmful chemicals like: MDMA (pure form of Ecstacy), BZP, TFMPP, Lidocaine, Ketamine, and an undetermined substance.
The Drug Court in Richland County, CACY, and Edge Plastics Inc. are examples of how Richland County is working on eradicating the complex drug problem. For more information on Richland County’s Drug Court, visit here. Visit CACY’s website for event postings and more information on harmful drugs. Also, visit Edge Plastics Inc. for more information about their company.
