A series of calls along Kendall Avenue paints a stark picture of the ongoing drug crisis—one that’s playing out in real time on the streets of Portsmouth.
The first call came in around 2 a.m. in the 1300 block, where officers found a man slumped over—breathing, but unresponsive—with a dog nearby growling at anyone who got too close.
Portsmouth Fire Department medics transported the man to Southern Ohio Medical Center for treatment.
Officers secured the scene, taking custody of the man’s dog and placing it in the city impound kennel while notifying Animal Control.
Just hours later, around 10 a.m., another call came in from the same general area.
A woman reported spotting a sandy-haired man at a homeless camp on the hill along Kendall Avenue, allegedly injecting drugs. When officers arrived, they spoke with a man matching the description and found a needle just a couple of feet away.
He denied it was his.
Officers advised him to leave the area.
Then, later that night around 10 p.m., just up the street at the Oasis Convenient Mart, a man flagged down an officer asking for help from a Quick Response Team.
The officer called for counselors.
But before they could arrive, the man changed his mind—and walked away.
Three calls. One street. One ongoing issue.
From overdose calls to active drug use to moments where help is within reach—but not taken—Kendall Avenue is showing just how complicated the crisis has become.