State of Ohio

In the 90's, drug companies started marketing opioid medications as non-addictive pain medications that could be given for any ailment or pain control. Therefore, a drug by the name of OxyContin was prescribed at an astronomical rate. People became heavily addicted to this substance as it was actually highly addictive-contrary to what the drug companies advertised. 

At this time there was no federal documentation for these controlled substance prescriptions. Therefore, people could obtain multiple prescriptions from different doctors, specifically in the state of Florida. At this time a "drug highway" formed starting in Florida up into the mid-west and north-east; West Virginia and Ohio were big stops on this highway.

After becoming addicted many people turned to the streets to get their drugs at a cheaper cost, less hassle with a doctor, etc., especially because it was easily accessible due to the drug highway from Florida. Yet, unfortunately many people also turned to cheaper alternatives such as heroin and fentanyl, which are much more addictive and subsequently, deadly.

Although the entire country felt the effects of the opioid epidemic, Ohio was considered to be "ground zero" of the epidemic, according to AmeriCorps. 

​

​

​

In Ohio, from 2011-2021 the age-adjusted rate due to opioid overdose increased from 11.2 per 100,000 to 40.1 per 100,000. 

​

And most importantly, we want to take care of our amazing state of Ohio. We care about our people, and you should too.