Fatal Overdose in Portsmouth
There was tragedy on Center Street in Portsmouth when another individual succumbed to a fatal overdose.
Portsmouth Police and Medical were called just after 11 p.m. to a home in the 1400 block of Center Street regarding a female who had overdosed and was not breathing.
The female was declared deceased in the home, despite their best efforts. She was not transported to SOMC. The Scioto County Coroner was dispatched to the residence and took possession of the deceased.
The Ohio Department of Health reports that Scioto County has the highest number of unintentional overdose deaths in the state. According to the chart below, Scioto County leads by a considerable margin. To put it into perspective, Scioto County’s rate is nearly three times higher than the state average.
In local political circles, Scioto County has also been referred to as the State’s Rehabilitation Capital. This is due to the fact that Scioto County has a higher rate of criminal offenders who are sentenced to treatment or rehabilitation programs, rather than imprisonment. The courts around the state then refer those defendants to the many rehabilitation centers in Scioto County.
While we make a business out of treating others, our local citizens continue to die at an overwhelming rate. The county has experienced an increase in crime, domestic violence, and children’s services workloads and financial expenses as a result.