Finding Hope Amid The Heroin Epidemic In Cuyahoga County

Lakewood and surrounding suburbs are all too familiar with the devastating effects of heroin and prescription drug abuse on their families and communities.

The numbers are grim: Nearly 200 deaths from heroin overdoses in Cuyahoga County in 2013. In Lakewood alone, authorities have said they had responded to 48 overdoses over the past year, four resulting in death.

And the death rate from prescription drug overdoses in Ohio has jumped nearly 500% from 1999 to 2013, according to the Cuyahoga County Opiate Task Force. These accidental deaths now outnumber traffic crash fatalities in both Ohio and across the nation.

But there is reason for hope: Awareness of the danger is rising, as is the distribution of Narcan or Naloxone to stop an opioid overdose from becoming fatal. Secure drop stations for disposing of unused pain killers are popping up in police stations.

The Lakewood Family Collaborative, with support from the City of Lakewood, will explore the latest developments in fighting the heroin and prescription drug overdose epidemic in a public forum, “Heroin & Hope,” on Wednesday, March 11, at Lakewood Methodist Church, 15700 Detroit Ave.

“Heroin & Hope” begins at 6:30 p.m. with an open resource room where local organizations and programs will offer recovery, treatment, advocacy and prevention options.

At 7 p.m., three featured speakers -- Rachel Dissell, Vince Caraffi and Aaron Marks -- will offer their insights and answer questions from the audience.

Rachel Dissell is an award winning journalist with the Cleveland Plain Dealer who will share what she has learned from her reporting on the heroin epidemic in Northeast Ohio as well as share her personal connection to the issue.

Vince Caraffi, the chair of the Cuyahoga County Opiate Task Force/Partners for Prevention, will provide an overview of the heroin epidemic in Northeast Ohio.

Aaron Marks will offer hope by sharing his personal story of recovery.

After the speakers, the resource room will reopen while Dr. Joan Papp and Emily Metz of MetroHealth’s Project DAWN provide training on the use of Naloxone from 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Participants will learn about the risk factors of opioid overdose and how to recognize and respond to an overdose. Eligible participants will be given free naloxone kits containing two vials of naloxone hydrochloride medication.

“Heroin & Hope” is an opportunity for people in the community to come together, reinforce our hope and commit to being a part of the solution to conquer the devastating effects of addiction.

Free parking will be available, and The Family Room will be available for free childcare. Please call Jessica Parker (216) 529-5018 for a reservation for childcare as space is limited.

For more information about “Heroin & Hope,” please contact event organizer Katie Kurtz at (216) 227-5955 or katiek@clevelandrcc.org.