More people die from prescription drug overdoses in Ohio than in car crashes, and Gov. John Kasich visited Adams County on Tuesday to discuss the epidemic.
Kasich was promoting House Bill 93, which he said would target doctors who knowingly prescribe drugs to addicts.
"(We're) bringing attention to physicians that if you are, in fact, involved in this, we're going to come and get you," Kasich said.
Lawmakers and law enforcement officers attended an event with Kasich at Adams County High School, in the heart of one of the state's most affected areas.
"There are pictures I've received of mothers dealing drugs out of the emergency room in the hospital," Kasich said.
Former teacher Beth Dunlap told students that her addiction to Oxycontin led her to steal from her own students and eventually cost her a teaching career.
"I couldn't wait for them to go to lunch so I could get into their bags and get whatever I could sell or change that would add up," Dunlap said.
The war against prescription drugs is far from over, officials said, but they found reason for optimism.
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"I can honestly say I now see light at the end of the tunnel," said Adams County Sheriff Kimmy Rodgers.
OK, the school was West Union, not Adams County High School. I wish the Cincy stations would give the rural areas a little more respect. They keep calling my alma mater Western Brown High by the misnomer Brown County High School. There are a few high schools in Brown County, as well as a few in Adams County. Let's get the facts straight and treat these folks with respect.
Kudos to Gov. Kasich for shedding light on the important work done in getting the bill passed through the House by my state rep. Danny Bubp and Rep. Johnson.
