Ohio University launches task force to combat opioid epidemic
The group will meet to explore current options and develop alternatives to an epidemic that has taken on the nation.
By Nate Doughty
ATHENS--Ohio University launched a drug task force in April to combat the statewide drug overdose epidemic. The group will consist of community members, university staff and health experts.
"Right now, many of our communities are hurting because of this epidemic, and Ohio University has a moral obligation to assist the communities we serve," President Duane Nellis said in a news release. "By forming this task force, we can combat this epidemic in a concerted, coordinated manner and leverage our collective expertise to save lives and enact real change toward the betterment of our region."
At least 39 people have died due to drug overdoses in the county since December 2012, according to the Athens County coroner’s reports. Of those, 25 had opiates in their body at the time of death.
ATHENS--Ohio University launched a drug task force in April to combat the statewide drug overdose epidemic. The group will consist of community members, university staff and health experts.
"Right now, many of our communities are hurting because of this epidemic, and Ohio University has a moral obligation to assist the communities we serve," President Duane Nellis said in a news release. "By forming this task force, we can combat this epidemic in a concerted, coordinated manner and leverage our collective expertise to save lives and enact real change toward the betterment of our region."
At least 39 people have died due to drug overdoses in the county since December 2012, according to the Athens County coroner’s reports. Of those, 25 had opiates in their body at the time of death.
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The task force will examine current efforts that are being implemented to target drug addiction and overdose deaths. It will also prepare ideas for how to manage the epidemic in the future.
Its first project will involve a review of Ohio U’s current plans to tackle the opioid epidemic and reach out to experts within the university, politicians in the region and other partners throughout the state. Another task involves working with education, student life, family and child studies, research and therapy across various Ohio U campuses to get a better understanding of the current progress that is being made toward the epidemic. Finally, the task force aims to utilize existing public-private partnerships across the Appalachian region, as well as throughout Ohio, to improve understandings of how overdoses are impacting the local communities where they are occurring. |
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INTERACTIVE: Where the most overdoses are reported in Athens County.
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“Prevention is not just for kids,” Dr. Holly Raffle, an associate professor at Ohio U who is a member of the task force, said. “As prevention science is developing, we are recognizing and realizing the value and potential of prevention across the lifespan."
Of those who died from drug overdoses in Athens, the average age was 42, which is higher than the statewide average of 34. While there has been an increase in overdose-related deaths in Athens County leading up to 2014, the overall trend has shifted downward, while the rest of the state has seen an increase. |
“Prevention, as a science, is relatively new,” Raffle said. “We are just beginning to understand that there are opportunities for intervention and support for young adults and adults.”
In 2014, 12 people were cited in the coroner’s reports as having died due to overdoses – the most of any year leading up to January of 2018. All the overdose deaths in 2014 were due to an abundance of prescription pain killers, opioids or both.
The 71 percent increase in overdose deaths from 2013 to 2014 for Athens is higher than the 20 percent increase the state saw over the same period. However, the 50 percent decrease in overdose deaths in Athens from 2014 to 2016 does not align with the state’s 73 percent increase.
In 2014, 12 people were cited in the coroner’s reports as having died due to overdoses – the most of any year leading up to January of 2018. All the overdose deaths in 2014 were due to an abundance of prescription pain killers, opioids or both.
The 71 percent increase in overdose deaths from 2013 to 2014 for Athens is higher than the 20 percent increase the state saw over the same period. However, the 50 percent decrease in overdose deaths in Athens from 2014 to 2016 does not align with the state’s 73 percent increase.
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Every person that died of a drug overdose in Athens was white. The male to female ratio was 61 percent to 39 percent, respectively.
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“Prevention is not just for kids."
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The city of Athens had the most reported cases of overdoses out of Athens County cities with a total of 10 deaths over the past five years. Nelsonville and Glouster followed with six and five deaths, respectively.
The Ohio Department of Health concluded in 2016 that Montgomery County faced the highest amounts of drug related overdoses in the state, with rate of 42.5 deaths per 100,000 people. Athens reported half of that, at 18.4 persons.
Opioid overdoses occur when there are more opioids in the brain than opioid receptors. When this happens, the brain’s autonomous functions (like breathing) begin to shut down. This leads to a loss of consciousness until breathing stops, resulting in death.
The task force plans to meet within the coming weeks to start implementing their objectives.
