From the Ohio Attorney General’s Office
Grants totaling more than $1.2 million are headed to eight Ohio counties to help sheriffs prioritize addiction treatment for jail inmates, Attorney General Dave Yost has announced.
In all, Yost’s office is offering $60 million in opioid settlement money over the next several years with the goal of reducing fatal overdoses in Ohio’s jails. Substance abuse is a leading cause of death among jail inmates in Ohio, accounting for at least 70 deaths since 2020, according to a recent USA Today report.
“The opioid crisis thrust county jails into the role of de facto addiction-treatment facilities, placing an unfunded burden on Ohio’s sheriffs,” Yost said. “These grants will provide relief to our jails as they manage the added responsibility of treating substance abuse. I’m grateful to every sheriff and deputy in Ohio, as they have adapted admirably to the evolving challenges of drug addiction.”
The attorney general’s Opioid Remediation Grant Program is awarding county jails up to $200,000 per year to hire a full-time addiction-services coordinator or a contractor providing similar services to treat opioid and other addictions, helping inmates through detox and recovery. Additionally, any county that operates a jail can apply for a $50,000 grant to fund medications and supplies for inmates experiencing opioid withdrawal.
Of the eight awards, Richland County received $250,000. Along with Trumbull County, that is the highest amount awarded in the state.
Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider echoed Sigsworth’s comments, adding that the grants will help inmates plan long-term paths to recovery.
“All too often, our inmates are left standing at the exit doors wondering how, where and when they will continue getting help, and now we can assist them by coordinating a plan prior to their release from jail,” Schneider said. “My hope is that each of them will continue seeking assistance in their recovery after their release to better their lives and avoid future run-ins with the law.”
Image by Ichigo121212 from Pixabay
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