Growing addiction In tandem with the growing number of deaths associated with fentanyl, the number of illicit fentanyl drugs confiscated by the Drug Enforcement Administration has increased as well, according to the CDC. Ohio led the nation with the highest number of fentanyl drug seizures in 2014, at 1,245 illicit drugs seized, according to the CDC. More than 80 percent of drug seizures were concentrated in 10 states. California, the most populous state in the nation, meanwhile, had less than 20 seizures of illicit fentanyl in the second half of 2014, the CDC reports. “Fentanyl has been a huge concern,” Nelson Ramirez, executive director at the Hispanic UMADAOP says. Fentanyl use can include a variety of side effects, including dizziness, dry mouth, weakness or severe constipation, according to WebMD. “Cautiously Optimistic”
“Fentanyl has been a huge concern.” - Nelson Ramirez,
A decrease in the number of prescribed opioids represents a shift in opioid addiction in Ohio. At this decrease, Ramirez says he is cautiously optimistic. Ohio patients received 42 million fewer prescribed opioid doses between 2012 and 2014, according to Ohio Governor John Kasich’s office. “That’s very encouraging,” Ramirez says. “I think doctors are getting the message, and are understanding the root cause of this opioid epidemic.” In 2006, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy established the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) to help target the misuse of prescription drugs.The system collects information on all outpatient prescriptions and allows prescribers to avoid potentially life-threatening drug interactions, as well as identify individuals who might be ‘doctor shopping,’ according to the OARRS website. Also, the Hispanic UMADAOP has built relationships with local organizations, such as the Cleveland Free Clinic.Through these, UMADAOP has been able to partner with needle exchanges, organizations that provide naloxone treatment for those suffering an overdose, and other treatment centers. “We are right in the middle of this epidemic, as an organization, and as a treatment center,” Ramirez says. Doctors are becoming more aware of the problem, and are not prescribing opioids as openly and freely, says Marketa Robinson, executive director of the Dayton UMADAOP. “Everyone is accountable to help fix this,” Robinson says.
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