Heroin overdose deaths on rise

Ohio continues to be among the nation's leaders in overdose deaths.

(cleveland.com file photo)

The scourge of heroin continued to wage relentless and deadly war on Ohio in 2016. At least 500 people died from drug-related overdoses in the past year in Cuyahoga County alone. Thousands more died similar deaths throughout the state.

Heroin or fentanyl or some combination of the super-potent opioids are now a leading cause of deaths for Ohioans -- surpassing the longstanding toll wrought by gun violence and automobile accidents.

The epidemic leaves massive collateral damage in its wake. The drugs not only claim lives across a broad spectrum of humanity, they take a tremendous toll on family, friends and communities.

Follow the obituary pages of almost any daily Ohio newspaper over the course of a month, and it's difficult not to be startled by the number of young people who are dead years before their prime. The unspoken cause of death is often a drug overdose.

The trend is infuriating and sad. But wallowing in sadness or anger will save no addicts, or spare more families and communities. The pertinent question is: how can our society reduce the destruction wrought by opioids?

Despite current trends, we can see glimmers of hope. That muted optimism is rooted in the fact that the public appears to be coming to an understanding that drug addiction often must be treated as a medical issue, not a criminal issue. The importance of this shift in public attitude cannot be overstated.

When pop superstar Prince died of a fentanyl overdose in June, the world took notice and many mourned his "sickness." We often respond in that manner when celebrities or the powerful succumb to drug use. Historically, however, there's been a much different response when the scourges of heroin or other hardcore drugs destroy everyday people.

We don't care. We often consider them criminals.

That indifferent response appears to be changing. In Ohio -- an epicenter of the heroin epidemic -- we're starting to fight back. Many state and local officials have come to an understanding that better treatment options and more productive law enforcement are just as important as early drug education and crisis family intervention. These community leaders are becoming increasingly vocal. That trend in leadership must continue.

There are evolving public health and criminal justice models worth watching and maybe emulating. Sometimes, a committed court system or a committed judge can facilitate rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Just before the holiday season got underway, I spent an afternoon in the courtroom of Judge Michael E. Jackson, who presides over the Cuyahoga County Veterans Treatment Court. What I witnessed was encouraging.

Jackson invited me to see firsthand how his court is attempting to help veterans who wrestle with addiction, mental illness and sometimes both. I observed a series of remarkable encounters between a firm but caring judge and a roomful of addicts, who once served the nation in uniform.

As they stood before Jackson, who served as a Marine combat officer in Vietnam, the struggling veterans seemed in search of two things: deliverance from their addictions and the judge's approval.

The veterans each briefly recounted for the judge how life had gone for them in the two weeks since they had last appeared before him. They spoke of continuing challenges, new job opportunities or time spent with family. Jackson paid close attention and asked questions.

Each of the people appearing before Jackson that day had been charged with a non-violent felony or was on probation. Each had asked permission to be part of Jackson's court, knowing that the rules for participation are strict. Each would be rigorously tested for drugs and alcohol, and required to attend behavioral modification classes (such as anger management).

If they succeeded, they would graduate from the program in 12 to 18 months. They would also stay out of jail.

"The program works because we strictly hold people accountable for their conduct. These people have served their country but somehow got off track. We're here to help them get back on track and become productive citizens," Jackson told me, after concluding that day's session with nearly 25 inmates.

The number of veterans courts around the state continues to grow. Judge Charles Patton presides over a highly regarded veterans court in Cleveland Municipal Court. Many other court systems around the state are closely watching the experiences of our two veterans treatment courts, with an eye toward creating their own.

The epidemic of heroin shows no signs of abating. Sadly, many more people will die untimely deaths in 2017 as a result of opioids; many more families will suffer devastating personal losses. Communities will continue to pay a steep price in crimes of opportunity and violence as drug dealers compete for market shares and users chase a deadly high at any cost.

The public shows encouraging signs of pushing back. That's the good news. Those who peddle the poison must continue to be swiftly identified and locked away without mercy. Those who use it must be given an opportunity for treatment to escape a dependency that will likely lead to death.

We must all realize that heroin is a scourge that affects us all. Denial is not an option.