Lakewood Confronting The County Heroin Epidemic

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has reported that nine Lakewood residents died of a heroin overdose in 2013. And with 170 heroin deaths across the county, there’s no debate that heroin is a prolific killer.

Experts say that heroin is cheaper, more potent and more available than ever before.

Judge Michael Astrab and Dr. Stephen Sroka recently hosted a townhall forum discussing the heroin epidemic in Northeast Ohio. "Lakewood: It's Time For the Talk About Heroin" took place at the Lakewood Public Library on September 30.

Sroka, a Lakewood resident, has written numerous article and produced videos about heroin/opiate awareness, education and advocacy. Joining Sroka and Astrab on the panel are Robert Garrity — and pharmacist, attorney and drug/alcohol counselor — as well as attorney Stephanie Lingle.

For more information about the event, click here.

Earlier this year, Lakewood announced its multi-faceted approach — along with several county initiatives — to step up its efforts to confront the epidemic. 

With five officers focused exclusively on narcotics investigations and prosecution, the city is one of the few suburbs with a dedicated narcotics investigation unit. The Lakewood police recently arrested a major heroin dealer, and have several other cases under investigation.

“But this isn’t a problem that’s only solved with enforcement,” said Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers.

“Lakewood’s abundance of lower-priced rental options, our 9,400 people per square mile, and our proximity to Cleveland make us particularly vulnerable to every national trend — both good and bad.”

In Lakewood, the strategy is based on prevention, as an issue of public health, as well as law enforcement.

• Lakewood has maintained its DARE program, despite reductions in federal financial support. The city has maintained two full-time school resource officers to perform this education, and work with students on ongoing education, investigation and support. 
  
  
• Mayor Summers and Judge Patrick Carroll are dedicated to attending the DARE graduation to emphasize the importance of education youth.

• To discourage heroin use, the city has successfully charged several associates and enablers with being “accessories to fact.”

• The city’s EMT squads carry and use Naloxone (Narcan) to aid in the resuscitation of overdose victims. Soon, all Lakewood police officers will carry Narcan.

• The county — through its Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services agency — is leading the charge on public education. Since many of the overdose victims in Lakewood are not residents of Lakewood, a regional approach to public education makes sense.
• Lakewood is committed to its work with more than 20 area agencies in a collaborative effort to address the epidemic on all fronts.

What can you do?

• Discard unneeded prescription medication from your medicine cabinets. The Lakewood Police Department has a drop-box for those looking to properly dispose of prescriptions.
• If you or someone you know struggles with heroin addiction – or any other substance abuse issues – please call the ADAMHS heroin hotline at 216-623-6888.