Davis – opioid crisis may take 20 years to fix
Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis says the area’s opioid crisis is fixable, but it may take 20 years before the problem is under control.
“I know that sounds like a long time. That’s the truth. We didn’t get into this situation overnight. We’re not going to get out of it overnight.”
Davis said that many positive steps have been made to provide rehabilitation services for addicts. “A lot of work being done to help those who have gone through rehabilitation to get a job and feel good about themselves so they will become positive members of society.” But Davis said focusing on rehab alone is not enough.
“They’re pouring a gazillion dollars into rehab but we also need funding for prevention. Prevention will always cost less than detection. Prevention is where it’s at.”
Davis said it was important to reach out to kids at the elementary level because many of them see drug abuse in their own homes and kids tend to mimic the behaviors of the adults in their lives.
Davis said drug abuse isn’t just an issue for addicts but also a children’s issue. He spoke to the death of baby Dylan Groves. “We need more preventive measures to stop these things from happening.”
