BATAVIA, OH — This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. The good news is that there are tools and resources available that can support the well-being of individuals and communities. Now, more than ever, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns. That’s why this May, which is annually designated as Mental Health Month, the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board (CCMHRB) is highlighting campaigns to help individuals deal with their mental health.
Tools2Thrive focuses on what individuals can do throughout their daily lives to prioritize mental health, build resiliency, and continue to cope with the obstacles of COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, many people who had never experienced mental health challenges found themselves struggling for the first time. During the month of May, we are focusing on different topics that can help process the events of the past year and the feelings that surround them, while also building up skills and supports that extend beyond COVID-19. We know that the past year forced many to accept tough situations that they had little to no control over. If you found that it impacted your mental health, You Are Not Alone. There are practical tools that can help improve your mental health, such as on managing anger and frustration, recognizing when trauma may be affecting your mental health, challenging negative thinking patterns, and making time to take care of yourself. It’s important to remember that working on your mental health and finding tools that help you thrive takes time. Change won’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of the past year and develop long-term strategies to support yourself on an ongoing basis. A great starting point for anyone who is ready to start prioritizing their mental health is to take a mental health screening at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and confidential way for someone to assess their mental health and begin finding hope and healing.
Ultimately, during this month of May, CCMHRB wants to remind everyone that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, and acknowledging that You Are Not Alone, it is possible to find balance between life’s ups and downs and to continue to cope with the challenges brought on by the pandemic. As another campaign promoted during the pandemic states, It’s Ok Not To Be Ok – but it’s important to seek help and support when you need it.
For more information, contact CCMHRB at 513-732-5400 or visit our website at www.ccmhrb.org. If you need someone to talk with right away or are experiencing a crisis, call the Clermont County Hotline at 513-528-SAVE which is available 24/7.
BATAVIA, OH — For the first time, in 2020 the Community Alternative Sentencing Center (CASC) saw a significant number of women (18 percent) and men (10 percent) with stimulant use disorder as their primary substance use diagnosis. In past years, it had been less than 1 percent.
The numbers reflect a trend that has been noted by others in the community who deal with substance abuse disorder, said Alicia Fine, vice president of Clermont County Behavioral Health Services. They are reporting increased use of methamphetamine — a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
Fine and Sarah Kodras, CASC program manager, gave an overview at today’s Clermont County Board of County Commissioners meeting. CASC seeks to provide innovative behavioral health and medical treatments for community members who are struggling with substance use disorders and are connected to the Clermont County Municipal Court system. The program is located on the same campus as the Clermont County Jail facility.
Fine said that 53 percent of men and 51 percent of women had alcohol use disorder as their primary substance use diagnosis – and 33 percent of men and 49 percent of women had a co-occurring mental health diagnosis, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. The average age was 38 for men and 39 for women.
Despite the pandemic, 148 men and 67 women were admitted into the program in 2020.
Kodras said CASC never shut down when COVID-19 hit. Programming kept running, and core staff were on site, but educational programming was offered on Zoom.
“It’s been a big effort, but I think it’s going well overall,” Kodras said. She noted that CASC works closely with probation, the court system, and the Mental Health and Recovery Board.
Clients are with CASC from five to 90 days. The men’s unit’s maximum capacity is 25; women’s, 12. Now, the program has 22 males and 10 women.
CASC provides group counseling in an intensive outpatient program. It also includes educational groups on topics such as healthy relationships and communication to stress tolerance and anger management.
CASC gives at least one individual counseling session per week. The program provides case management that helps link clients with doctors, mental health professionals, court appointments, housing and the like. It offers Medication Assisted Treatment, psychiatric services, nursing, employment services and peer recovery and community support (AA, NA, Smart Recovery, etc).
BATAVIA, OH — The Clermont County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), a partnership between behavioral health professionals and law enforcement to improve community responses to people experiencing mental health crises, has accomplished much since 2011. The CIT celebrates its 10th anniversary in May.
The program follows a nationwide model that involves two components: 1) training first responders, particularly law enforcement, to recognize mental health crises and know the resources to assist someone in crisis with getting needed behavioral health treatment; and 2) improving access to the mental health system so that individuals in crisis can access needed behavioral health treatment.
The Clermont CIT program started in May 2011 with the first CIT training course. The following departments were the first to send officers through the CIT training: Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, Goshen Police Department, Loveland Police Department, Miami Township Police Department, Pierce Township Police Department, and Union Township Police Department.
In the past 10 years the Clermont CIT program has had many accomplishments. Ninety percent of sworn full time peace officers in Clermont County have received CIT training, and the majority of police departments in the county are requiring their officers to become a certified CIT officer. Access to behavioral health services has also substantially increased through the CIT program with the implementation of a mobile crisis team in 2011, a team of mental health professionals that provides face-to-face crisis services, and the expansion of the mobile crisis team to 24/7 in 2020. The CIT program also provides training to fire/EMS and 911 dispatchers.
If you or someone you know are in crisis or need access to behavioral health care, please call 513-528-SAVE 24/7 to talk to a trained mental health professional. The Clermont CIT program is managed and funded by the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board.
For more information on the Clermont CIT program, please contact Lee Ann Watson at (513) 732-5400.
BATAVIA, OH — National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue, takes place on Saturday, April 24.
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office will be accepting prescription drugs for disposal in person, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 24. Pills/tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs will be accepted. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
The public also may drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites, which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement. There are several permanent drug drop off boxes throughout Clermont County:
You also may find a drug drop off box near you at: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose. The U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period (CDC, 2020). The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.
BATAVIA, OH — Ongoing stress due to the pandemic has contributed to increased calls to the Clermont County 528-SAVE Crisis Hotline the past several months. The Clermont County Crisis Hotline has seen a 21-percent increase in the number of calls in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the previous 12 months. The hotline has also seen an increase in the number of suicidal/crisis calls.
“The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to take its toll,” said Lee Ann Watson, associate director, Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board. “This has been a challenging time for nearly everyone, especially those with possible underlying behavioral health concerns.”
Clermont County has the second-highest suicide rate in Southwest Ohio and is 13th in the state per 100,000 for suicide deaths. Fortunately, there has not been an increase in suicide deaths in 2020. People appear to be reaching out for help more than in previous years. But there is still reason for concern. While the suicide deaths have decreased in 2020, one death by suicide is too many.
Watson asks people to recognize warning signs and know how to reach out for help. It is important to know the warning signs and the resources to seek help because likely people who are depressed and at risk for suicide are not often motivated to seek help. Losses such as the end of a relationship, death of a loved one or loss of employment, all of which are situations that can be occurring during COVID-19, can increase the risk for depression.
Common Warning Signs of Acute Suicide Risk
The following are not always communicated directly or outwardly:
Additional Warning Signs:
(Source: American Association of Suicidology)
Help is available 24/7 through the Clermont County Crisis Hotline at 528-SAVE (7283). The Hotline is staffed by trained and licensed mental health providers who can assist with connection to needed services. There is also a crisis text line that can be accessed 24/7. Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741.
High-risk groups: Men, those 65 and older
Middle-aged men and individuals over the age of 65 comprise high-risk groups in Clermont County, similar to national trends. Men have always had a higher rate of suicide death than females, but the number of males dying from suicide has significantly increased. During 2019, 37-percent of the suicide deaths were men between the ages of 40-59. This is a 100-percent increase in the number of deaths in 2019 of this age group compared to 2018. In 2020, 88 percent of the suicide deaths were men. Of those, 23 percent were aged 40-49, and 26 percent were aged 60-69.
While it is often difficult for men to reach out for help, it is important for men to remember that now more than ever “it is ok not to be ok” and that feeling overwhelmed is not a sign of weakness. Seeking help is a sign of strength. Mental health professionals are available to assist with the specific needs and concerns of men. Further, a 2019 study published in the Journal of Mental Health found that receiving support from a trusted and respected friend can be an effective suicide prevention strategy for men. Forming connections with other people who are going through the same thing can also be helpful.
The Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition is working to decrease suicide in our County through increasing knowledge of warning signs, and availability of treatment. If you are interested in joining the Coalition, please contact Lee Ann Watson at (513) 732-5400.
Number of overdose deaths decline; meth use increases
With regard to unintentional fatal overdose deaths, Clermont County has seen a decrease in deaths over the past three years.
The decrease in deaths can be partially attributed to the wide spread distribution of Naloxone to county residents. While the overdose deaths have decreased, nonfatal overdoses are still occurring in Clermont County, albeit less than in previous years.
Regarding non-fatal overdoses, the County was ranked 16th in the state in 2019 for the number of Naloxone administrations (387 doses; Ohio EMS, 2019). This ranking is based on number of administrations, not by population. For the first three quarters in 2020, Clermont is ranked 17th in the state for number of Naloxone administrations (315; Ohio EMS, 2020). The number of administrations is underreported since not all the EMS departments in Clermont County report the use of Naloxone, and the figures do not include the Naloxone utilized by law enforcement.
Clermont County saw a surge in nonfatal overdoses in the summer months of 2020, but the overdoses have now decreased to lower than in the previous year. There continues to be “hot spots” in Clermont County where overdoses are occurring: Union Township; New Richmond and Felicity.
Use of stimulants, particularly methamphetamine, has substantially increased in Clermont County. The degree of complexity related to stimulant misuse has impacted the county. A large portion of the homicides in 2019 were related to stimulant misuse. Individuals on meth can have extreme paranoia and often aggressive behavior, and difficult to engage in treatment.
The CCMHRB’s substance use disorder treatment provider has seen an increase in treatment admissions for stimulant misuse in the last year (14 percent), and the local hospital also reports an increase in the rate of admissions to the Emergency Department (ED) and the behavioral health unit due to meth misuse.
Individuals who are brought into the ED under the influence of meth most often have to be admitted to the behavioral health unit. Those stays are often long since it is taking several days for the individual to clear.
Clermont County Children’s Protective Services has also reported a substantial increase in the number of children in custody due to stimulant use disorders. In 2019, more than 30 percent of the cases were related to methamphetamine. The number of cases has increased in 2020 as reported by CPS.
Stimulant misuse differs greatly from opioid misuse. Due to the nature of the drug, individuals actively using stimulants are often not able to engage in discussions related to treatment, and therefore outreach to attempt to engage them in treatment is not successful as it has been for individuals using opioids. Further, many individuals with a stimulant use disorder do not believe they have an addiction, and therefore do not voluntarily enroll in treatment. The CCMHRB’s contract substance use disorder treatment provider reports that in 2019, 21 percent of clients identified stimulants as their primary drug of choice, while 34 percent identified opioids as their primary drug of choice.
BATAVIA, OH — Mary Makley Wolff has been named associate director for the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, starting Feb. 8.
Wolff, a Miami Township trustee, for the past six years has served as director of the Coalition for a Drug Free Clermont County.
“I’m proud of the work we are doing building the coalition in Clermont County, including getting funding for years 1-5 and now 6-10,” Wolff said. “And now I’m looking forward to helping build a robust statewide suicide prevention coalition.”
Wolff sees parallels between her work for the drug free coalition and the suicide prevention foundation.
“We want to make sure our communities are responding as best as they can, now that we are in the COVID-19 era,” Wolff said. “It’s such a rough time for people with the isolation associated with pandemic.” Strong communities have strong community level prevention activities and policies happening everywhere.
For example, Wolff said teens are getting shamed if they test positive and cause a whole team to quarantine. They can find themselves under attack on social media.
“We know social media is both good and bad,” Wolff said. “It provides connection, but cyber-bullying and too much screen time make a problem worse.”
Her main focus at first in the new job includes: Seeking grants for capacity building and furthering a partnership with the Voinovich School at Ohio University and Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services to build an understanding of how to build a coalition. She will assist OU and local staff in building an advocacy group among coalitions to see if policy or law changes need amending so more people may be helped.
With assistance 30 partners across the state had developed the first Statewide suicide prevention plan. The plan focuses on prevention, intervention and “postvention.”
Postvention involves helping survivors or family members who lost someone.
“We’re really good immediately after a tragedy,” Wolff said. “It’s the weeks and months later, when people have stopped bringing the casseroles and the survivor or family member has to grapple with this alone that provides the biggest challenges.”
Support groups have worked well in recovery from addiction and managing grief. Research shows that it helps to talk with someone who has walked the same path.
The plan identified three key groups with the strongest need: veterans, older male adults and youth.
“But we want to build a network inclusive of everybody,” Wolff said “I’m really looking forward to it. It builds off of work have done with drug prevention coalition. We all need to be prevention people: Faith community, law enforcement, educators…. We’ve got to share the message of being healthy and safe.”
For those interested in helping locally with either the Coalition for a Drug Free Clermont County or the Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition contact Lee Ann Watson, associate director of the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board at 732-5200.
During 2020 Appreciation Week in Clermont County, the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board (CCMHRB) together with the Clermont Opiate Task Force (OTF) would like to acknowledge the first responders in our county that have gone above and beyond in the fight against the opioid epidemic in our County. Without your partnership, Clermont County could not have seen the 43% decrease in opioid related unintentional overdoses in the past several years. THANK YOU!
Additionally, the work and support of the following partners has had an impact on the success of the OTF, we want to THANK YOU :
The Clermont County Community Alternative Sentencing Center (CASC) helps people with addiction get treatment, support and services instead of just doing time in jail. In recent months, the innovative program has served more people than ever. Learn more about CASC in this interview with Karen Scherra, Executive Director, Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board.
Does CASC have the highest enrollment since its inception? If so, why?
Scherra: The men’s program has previously gone over the target of 25 individuals, so that census has been higher. Specifically, for the period Feb. 20, 2019-March 3, 2019, the census averaged 28.6 for men during those two weeks. The women’s program was designed for 12 participants and has historically been under that number. Recently, for the two weeks from Sept. 10, 2020-Sept. 24, 2020, the census averaged 14.9, the highest number of participants since that program opened in 2017. The combined census in recent months has reflected the highest total enrollment for the program.
The agencies involved with CASC don’t have a specific reason for the spikes in participation, but we think both the backload of cases due to COVID now before the Court and more word getting around about the benefits of the program have increased interest in it.
Although the program is offered as an alternative to jail, some individuals are not ready or not willing to engage in this level of treatment, which can affect the number of participants at any given time, despite referrals from the Court.
How successful has CASC been?
Scherra: The basic premise for CASC is to have people with an addiction spend time receiving treatment and other services/supports rather than just sit in jail. From that perspective, each person who goes to CASC reduces the number of inmates in the jail and is exposed to help with their addiction issues, which is a success. In terms of outcomes, we look at how many people complete the CASC program, how many are referred to treatment and begin treatment, how many get employment services and obtain a job/career, and how many have reoffended and are back in jail within a year. Here are some of those statistics from the 2019 Annual Report on CASC:
What contributes to that success?
Scherra: The program is voluntary, so the participants are at least somewhat motivated, and their days are filled with treatment services, as well as other activities like AA, Smart Recovery, exercise, yoga, religious groups, etc. provided by community groups (virtually during COVID). Their return to the community is planned for and discussed, they can start Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services while in CASC that continue when they are released, and there is a “warm handoff” to services in the community that helps with engagement. Perhaps most importantly, though, is the collaboration and commitment among the court, probation, and treatment that lays a foundation for making the program as good as it can be and to assure that the experience leads to success for the participants.
How unique is CASC in the state? Country?
Scherra: CASC is an outpatient treatment program which provides comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals who are referred by the Clermont County Municipal Court. The program is voluntary, and individuals referred to the program must have a substance use disorder. As defined by the OAC 3793:2-1, the program provides structured programming that includes substance use disorder treatment with individual and group counseling, case management services, educational groups, employment readiness and retention services, peer recovery supports, and community recovery supports. In addition, medication assisted treatment, nursing services and psychiatric medical services are also available when appropriate.
In Ohio, there are several programs that call themselves Community Alternative Sentencing Centers, but only a couple who follow the model outlined in legislation. There are some similar programs throughout the country, but they all differ slightly. I think the uniqueness of CASC is the collaboration at the center of the program. The Board of County Commissioners, Clermont County Municipal Court, Clermont County Jail, Clermont County Municipal Court Adult Probation Department, Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board, and Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services/Clermont Recovery Center work in partnership to support this innovative program.
How has CASC changed since its inception in 2015?
Scherra: We now have CASC for women, the services and activities provided have changed and expanded, and there is better coordination among the stakeholders in the program.
2019 was a year focused on collaboration, partnership, communication, training, team development and program enhancement. New leadership in January 2019 and new clinical supervision in July 2019 brought with it much opportunity for program enhancement. Efforts to engage in consistent dialogue and collaboration with key stakeholders provided essential feedback. A collaborative communication structure was established where CASC leadership and leadership from probation meet weekly to review current clients, address client issues/needs, and problem solve developing unit issues. In 2020, emphasis has been on maintaining the program during a pandemic, which has been successfully achieved.
I understand that a women’s program was added in 2017. How has that been doing?
Scherra: The program for women was added in 2017 when CCMHRB received federal grant funds. The women’s program, designed for twelve women, has struggled at times with census numbers for a variety of reasons. Women are often more resistant to admitting their addiction issues and seeking treatment, don’t want the disconnection from heir children/families, and are often further along in their addiction when arrested. However, recent increases in the number of female participants seem to indicate that more women want help and are hearing about the positives associate with the CASC program.
How is CASC funded? How do levy funds support the program?
Scherra: CASC is funded by the Board of County Commissioners with services provided through Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services. In 2015, GCB began managing the program and providing services to men. In the fall of 2017, the program was expanded to provide services to women through the federal Cures Act grant obtained by the Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board; funding was subsequently switched to the SOR grant that followed the Cures Act grant. A new SOR grant will begin this fall and will hopefully continue to provide the funds for the women’s program for at least the next two years.
What are the ages of those who complete the program?
Scherra: Adults 18 and over, range from 19-67. Average age is 37 for men and 34 for women. 64% of men and 82% of women are under 40.
For men admitted to the program in 2019, 61% had a primary diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder and 25% had a primary diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder. For women admitted to the program, 30% had a primary diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder and 44% had a primary diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder. This remains relatively consistent year to year. In 2019, 30% of men admitted to the program had a co-occurring mental health diagnosis. 59% of the women admitted to the program in 2019 had co-occurring mental health issues.
How long do people participate in the program? What does it consist of?
Scherra: Participants can be in the program for 5-90 days, depending on their offense and sentencing as determined by the judge. A majority of clients stay for less than 30 days.
Are there any success stories who might want to tell how CASC helped them?
Scherra: Brian B. participated in CASC for 30 days in the summer of 2019. During his time in the program, he made great strides in identifying triggers and developing coping strategies. Although he had one relapse early on, he was quickly able to get back on track by using the tools that he learned while in CASC. He engaged in aftercare services at Sojourner and also enrolled in the YWCA’s Transform program, which focuses on Intimate Partner Violence – he completed both of these services successfully. Brian celebrated one year of sobriety on Sept. 22, 2020. Within the past year, he has obtained full-time employment at a nursing facility as the Director of Maintenance, opened a consignment shop, founded and is now chair of his own AA meeting, and was recently married to his long-time partner (a relationship that he worked hard to mend). He remains motivated and has vowed to use his own story to help demonstrate to others the beauty of recovery.
Brittany M. served a total of 90 days in the CASC program. With the help of CASC, she realized she enjoyed being sober and wanted to fight for it. She chose to transition to additional inpatient treatment. The CASC staff was able to help her secure ongoing treatment and prepare her for her next step in her sobriety journey. Brittany went on to successfully complete inpatient treatment and transitioned to aftercare services at Clermont Recovery Center (CRC). She has since completed her treatment at CRC, has regained custody of her children, obtained full-time employment, owns her own trailer, has set healthy boundaries, and has been fully compliant with three separate Probation Officers. Brittany celebrated a year of sobriety in April 2020 and looks forward to continuing her sober lifestyle.
What recognition has CASC received? (Any honors, awards, etc.)
Scherra: CASC leadership, along with representatives from the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board, Clermont County Municipal Court Probation, and the County Commissioners office have been invited to present on the CASC program several times, including twice at the special request of former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Eve Stratton.
A number of Ohio counties have sent teams to learn about the program, it has been visited by state and federal legislators, and has been the subject of TV interviews, including by CNN and a Spanish film company.
BATAVIA, OH (Aug. 25, 2020) — The Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Ohio Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will host the 19th annual candlelight vigil to remember, honor and cherish the lives of those individuals lost to suicide over the past year. More than 5 million living Americans have lost a close family member or friend to suicide. Anyone whose life has been touched by suicide is welcome to attend and pay tribute to their loved one through a ceremonial lighting of candles. This year the event will be virtual via Zoom.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
Where: (register in advance):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtdOipqjgvHdXSe5Vao4wCXsE8l0pmhNh2
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Time: 7 p.m.
Contact: To send names to have a candle lit:
Lee Ann Watson: lwatson@ccmhrb.org
Michael Cotrell: cotrellm@gmail.com
BATAVIA, OH (Aug. 18, 2020) — Clermont County law enforcement and treatment specialists are noticing an uptick in methamphetamine (or meth) after a slowdown during the spring shutdown of the economy.
The Clermont County Opiate Task Force touched base on drug and alcohol trends in the era of COVID-19 in an Aug. 13 meeting.
Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nick DeRose, commander of the Clermont County Narcotics Task Force, said both volume and prices of meth have increased substantially in July and August. He noted that the county has experienced a rise in cocaine traffic – almost all laced with fentanyl – and LSD in recent weeks.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known colloquially as acid, is a hallucinogenic drug. Effects typically include altered thoughts, feelings, and awareness of one’s surroundings. Many users see or hear things that do not exist. Dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, and increased body temperature are typical.
“COVID slowed things down, but come June there was a major increase – mainly a mixture of meth with fentanyl,” said Lt. Matt Green of the Union Township Police Department. “Some are doing meth and cocaine and not knowing they’ve been laced with fentanyl.”
The department has handled 40 overdoses in the past two months, Green said.
People who use meth experience a roller coaster of emotions, members of the task force reported. Many meth users are fidgety with nervous energy. They often experience psychosis, with symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, talking incoherently, and agitation. The person with the condition usually isn’t aware of his or her behavior.
Dr. Shawn Ryan of BrightView said meth causes the body to produce an amount of brain hormones “off the chart.” He added that it’s difficult to normalize the hormones as part of a treatment plan.
Jamie Lutson of Clermont County Municipal Court Probation said she had noticed a big increase in females addicted to meth. Some say they are using the drug to stay awake so they can work and take care of their children.
Lutson added that alcoholic relapses occurred more frequently as treatment programs “came to a screeching halt.”
Lee Ann Watson, associate director of the Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board and co-chair of the Opiate Task Force, said the group will use the input to help target efforts to address the situation.
Nan Cahill, from the office of U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), said the senator and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) along with U.S Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX) and David Trone (D-MD) introduced the Fighting Emerging Narcotics Through Additional Nations to Yield Lasting (FENTANYL) Results Act to increase global cooperation in the fight against synthetic drug trafficking.
