Council supports heroin legislation

Published July 29, 2014 at 9:20 a.m.

By John Harper from the Northeast Ohio Media Group

Akron City Council voted unanimously Monday in favor of a resolution supporting the U.S. House of Representatives "Breaking Addiction Act," which would make Medicaid payments available for substance abuse treatment programs.

U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge authored the breaking addiction act along with co-sponsor U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan.

The Akron council specifically addressed what was called an "ongoing heroin/opiate epidemic."

"I don't want to say we're losing the war on drugs but we are way way behind," Council President Gary Monneypenny said. "Incarceration is not always the answer, nor is it the solution."

The resolution's author and co-sponsor, Jeff Fusco and Bob Hoch, both said they hoped to get the money flowing where it was needed.

"It's not slowing down by any stretch of the imagination, as a matter of fact it has been increasing," Fusco said. "We hope nothing but the best for this legislation it is going to possibly provide cost-effective community based treatment options for those who need it the most."

Fusco said 14 people have already died from heroin overdoses in Akron this year.

Councilwoman Linda Omobien said that social acceptability plays a roll in drug use.

"Substance abuse is a disease, its part of the mental health spectrum, but it is also a social health problem," Omobien said "It is acceptable to drink even though you know you shouldn't... A lot of the behaviors are socially accepted. There is a lot here, hopefully to help treat the individual in Summit County."

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2014/07/akron_council_supports_medicai.html