Portage County drug users hooked on heroin

Portage County Sheriff David Doak described heroin in one word: deadly.

A rising concern among law enforcement in Portage County, Ohio, is an increase of heroin’s presence in the community. Sheriff Doak said the drug users often become different people when they start using.

“They don’t care who they hurt, they just want that fix,” Doak said.

Coroner’s report

According to Portage County Coroner Custodian of Records Wayne Enders, a contributing factor to the heroin epidemic is the cost, similar to a pack of cigarettes.

Enders said generally, heroin-related deaths used to be the exception rather than the rule for drug toxicity deaths. In recent years, heroin has been in abundance with a low cost.

Taking an active role

Sheriff Doak suggested several ways society can help stop the increase in heroin use in the county.

“Society is going to have to take an active role.”

“Society is going to have to take an active role,” Doak said. “Until then, it [heroin] is going to continue.”

Doak conservatively estimated at street value, there is about $6 million worth of drugs currently in Portage County. Realistically, he estimates the street value to be at about $12 million.

If you see suspicious activity, you can fill out the document above and submit it to the Portage County Drug Task Force. Suspicious activity includes a large variety of cars frequently arriving or leaving from a house, and quick activity or interactions at a front or back door.

Seeking help

Several drug addiction resources are located in Portage County, and offer counseling or rehabilitation services.

Townhall II Clinical Counselor James Swanson said he personally struggles when meeting with patients. “It saddens me to see,” Swanson said. “Success ratios for heroin is not high.”

Swanson said other activities such as using marijuana or abusing prescription drugs are often turned into gateways for more serious drug use, including heroin and opiates.

“They’re in pain,” said Swanson. “They don’t want to get through the pain, so they try to feed the fix.”

Sheriff Doak said he often experiences firsthand the true nature of those who are addicted, and the financial and emotional hardships drug abusers can leave on their families.

“It’s easy for someone to fall off the wagon, and go back to it [heroin],” Doak said. “It’s devastating.”

Traffic crash statistics

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Traffic fatalities in Portage County have been gradually increasing each year — and currently, heroin-related deaths are higher than traffic fatalities.

From 2012 to 2013, heroin-related deaths doubled in Portage County, from seven to 14. Currently, the official heroin-related deaths stand at 18 to date — before the end of the year.

Moving forward

Portage County Sheriff David Doak said the heroin epidemic is so severe, he thinks the next best logical option is to encourage the public to reach out — with tax dollars.

“Somebody has got to pay the bills,” Doak said. “We rely a great deal on public input.”

During the November 4 election, the Portage County Jail was included in the local ballot, allowing the public to vote on a tax levy to fund an expansion project for the jail. The public turned down Issue 18 in a nearly 70-30 vote.

“I’m a taxpayer too, I understand,” Doak said. However, Doak said the heroin epidemic is particularly aggressive, and adds to the jail’s overall inmate population. Approximately a third of the inmates housed in the Portage County Jail are currently incarcerated because of heroin-related charges.

Doak said the overpopulation is a reason why he hoped Issue 18 would pass. The overcrowding of jail cells is also affecting many jails throughout Ohio.

Over the past ten years Sheriff Doak has seen different drug patterns impact the county in multiple ways, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and most recently, heroin.

“There will be a time when we can turn around,” Doak said. “But I don’t think we’re going to see it in five years.”

 

*WKYC footage used with permission.