Ohio is sending reinforcements to one of the state’s hardest-hit areas in the opioid epidemic. Governor Mike DeWine announced that nearly $2.2 million in RecoveryOhio grants will go to 34 local drug task forces across the state—including $12,000 for Portsmouth Police and $70,000 for the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office.
The move comes as Scioto County, where Portsmouth is located, continues to lead Ohio in overdose deaths, with a fatality rate more than double that of Columbus’s Franklin County and triple the rate in the Cincinnati area.
“This grant program helps local law enforcement stop drug traffickers and prevent drug dependence using a two-pronged approach,” said Governor DeWine. “Not only do they work to stem the flow of drugs, but they’re also helping citizens with prevention and recovery support.”
Local Incidents Highlight Urgent Need
The grant announcement couldn’t come at a more crucial time.
Just yesterday, SCDN reported a fatal overdose inside a Portsmouth home. Despite rapid response from EMS and police, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, adding another tragic statistic to an already grim local record.
And the calls kept coming Thursday:
- On 2nd Street, a woman was found lying on the sidewalk in apparent distress. She eventually got up and wandered toward the U.S. Grant Bridge. Fortunately, the Quick Response Team (QRT)—a group trained to offer immediate addiction help—intervened. She agreed to go with them to seek treatment.
- At Southern Ohio Medical Center, security contacted police after discovering a suspicious substance on a patient. Officers determined it was drug residue and safely disposed of it.
Fighting on All Fronts
The RecoveryOhio funds are meant to bolster efforts like these. Grants will support not just drug interdiction, but also prevention, education, and recovery services. That includes working in schools, connecting individuals to treatment, and dismantling the drug trafficking networks that fuel local addiction.
Portsmouth Police and their regional partners know they’re facing a battle on multiple fronts—but with additional resources, they’re better equipped to fight back.
As the opioid crisis evolves, the combination of law enforcement and mental health support remains a critical strategy. And in a city where overdose is all too common, every dollar—and every saved life—counts.