Scioto County deputies were called to a rehab facility in Franklin Furnace around 10 p.m. after staff reported a man who had walked away earlier in the evening was now making threats to kill people.
Deputies searched the area and located the man at a car wash across from the Dollar General. He agreed to stay away from the facility and told officers he would wait there for a ride to pick him up.
This is just one example of the challenges that come with addiction treatment in Scioto County. Rehab centers can provide structure, therapy, and support—but they cannot legally force adults to remain in treatment if they decide to leave.
That creates a revolving door problem: people who desperately need help sometimes walk away, relapse, and end up back on the streets or in police custody.
Scioto County has one of the highest rates of addiction and overdose in Ohio, making rehab facilities a critical resource. Recovery ultimately depends on the individual’s willingness to stay. When someone leaves treatment early, it doesn’t just put them at risk—it can put the community at risk too, as seen in this case with threats of violence.
Deputies say they will continue responding to calls like this, but long-term solutions require more than law enforcement. Until treatment resources align with long-term commitment and follow-up, situations like the Franklin Furnace incident will continue to surface.
