Drugs

Ohio Addictions Chief to Address Overdose Deaths

Associated Press — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:04:00 +0000

The head of Ohio's addictions agency plans to talk about new data showing state residents still dying from drug overdoses at record rates.

Orman Hall is director of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. He also will use a news conference Tuesday afternoon to push for addiction treatment and other health care services for all Ohioans.

Data released last week show the number of people who died of accidental overdoses jumped 14 percent in 2011 for a total of over 17 hundred overall deaths.

Police Fight Drugs Near Dayton Mall

Associated Press and Dayton Daily News — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:35:00 +0000

Local police say some shopping going on at a major retail center isn't for clothes or appliances.

A recent drug bust at an auto detail shop was the latest in a series of actions near the Dayton Mall. The Dayton Daily News reports several arrests of suspected drug dealers in the past month.

A 20-year-old man was fatally shot April 4 at a beverage drive-thru near the mall amid an FBI drug investigation.

Authorities say the heavily traveled area with many parking lots gives drug dealers opportunities for quick, car-to-car sales.

Synthetic Drugs Crackdown

Associated Press — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:04:00 +0000

A proposed Ohio law seeks to end what a prosecutor calls a "cat-and-mouse" game involving chemists changing synthetic drugs' molecular content to keep them legal.

At issue are the sale and abuse of synthetic drugs such as bath salts and herbal incense, which can cause users to behave in bizarre and dangerous ways.

Matt Donahue, a special prosecutor with the Ohio attorney general's office, says current Ohio law bands a particular chemical compound used to make such drugs.

Ohio Expands Use of Anti-Narcotic Treatment

Associated Press — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:12:00 +0000

A decision by Ohio Governor John Kasich to change the way doctors can bill Medicaid for a painkiller addition treatment may make it easier to obtain in the long run. The administration says the change could ultimately affect far more patients than a $1 million pilot program for ex-offenders vetoed by the governor last month.

Under the new change taking effect in October, pharmacies can bill Medicaid directly for Vivitrol and have the drug delivered to a doctor's office without an upfront payment.

Ohio Unveils Efforts Targeting Drug Trafficking

Associated Press — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:40:17 +0000

New efforts to crack down on drug trafficking in Ohio include legislation targeting hidden compartments in vehicles and changes in how drivers can use the Highway Patrol hotline.