PEPPER CONTINUES TO HIGHLIGHT DAMAGING HEROIN TREATMENT CUTS
TOLEDO – Today, David Pepper, Democratic Nominee for Ohio Attorney General, continued to highlight $20 million in state cuts to heroin and other addiction treatment services that went into effect July 1st. Pepper has been traveling the state to call for the funds to be restored.
Since the Associated Press initially reported the $20 million cut in May, DeWine’s office has issued more than 30 press statements – none of which has addressed the state’s decision to slash funding for local treatment services for heroin and other addictions.
This week, DeWine’s campaign spokesman told Cincinnati City Beat that DeWine is “doing all he can” to battle the heroin crisis.
Peter Koltak, Pepper’s Communications Director, made the following statement:
“DeWine has sent out over 30 self-promoting public statements, but couldn’t spare a word for Ohio families who will suffer because of major cuts to addiction treatment. David Pepper has already released his strategy to battle the epidemic and will continue to speak out against bad policy that will only make this crisis worse.”
Read Pepper’s full plan to battle the heroin epidemic here:davidpepper.com/battlingheroin
BACKGROUND:
Local addiction treatment and mental health officials from across Ohio have spoken out against $20 million state cuts to their ability to provide treatment for heroin and other addictions.
Elaine Georgas, Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services:
“People understand why families need support and treatment now more than ever. With this reduction, we’re going to have to tell them again services aren’t available unless you’re Medicaid eligible.”
Steve Dunkin, Brown County Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services:
“We are in the middle of a drug epidemic not only here in Ohio but here in Brown County and we need more money, not less. I think that’s so obvious to everyone, and it just makes our job tougher and it’s disheartening.”
David White, Washington County Behavioral Health Board:
“Any cut hurts our ability to get help to the people who need it. We have people in our area that need to be able to get the medication and help they need, and with any little cuts, I do not see how we can continue to provide that.”
Bill Denihan, Cuyahoga County Addiction and Mental Health Services:
“They’re making administrative change for the good of the bureaucracy, but we’re not treating people because of it, and that’s wrong. It’s baffling as to why they’re making these changes now.”
John Bohley, Butler County Board for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Services:
“We are getting much less money than we thought. We are losing about $650-700,000 over the year that has just begun and that means cuts to vital services.”
Scott Sylak, Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services:
“Once again it’s an over-reliance on local funding to shore up what the state has started.”
Steve Carrel, Muskingum County Behavioral Health:
“I keep hearing prevention is important, but I don’t see anyone doing anything about it. Addiction is a brain disease. There’s no other disease in the world that’s treated this way. None.”
Joe Trolian, Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services:
“Do we want them to do it? Absolutely not. This is the worst time to implement this change.”
Judge Brent Robinson, Richland County Common Pleas Court:
“I don’t want to see any cuts to local funding. That’s what helps make Drug Court successful. They (treatment providers) are an integral part of Drug Court because Drug Court is about collaboration.”
Brenda Heidinger, Mahoning County Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services:
“It [funding cut] will mean that we will be unable to serve as many medically indigent clients who do not have access to health care through either private insurance, self-pay or Medicaid.”