2018 is on pace for the most drug related deaths

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Muskingum County is on a record-breaking pace in the number of deaths from drug overdoses in 2018.

CEO of Muskingum Behavioral Health Steve Carrel said in 2017 there were 17 drug-related overdose deaths and eight suicides in Muskingum County. In less than a month, there has already been three drug-related overdose deaths and two suicides.

“We’re already on pace to break what we did last year. And last year was the most recorded. Again, that emphasizes we have an immediate problem that has to be addressed. Not just by Muskingum Behavioral Health but by the community,” said Carrel.

Carrel said the opioid epidemic has had a monumental impact on the entire country, especially Ohio. In the last seven years, to keep up with the number of people struggling with addiction, Muskingum Behavioral Health has doubled its staff, has twice the amount of clients and has expanded from one intensive outpatient program to three.

“We’re hoping to expand that to either four or five in the very near future. Another big change, we had, was we’re now open four nights a week. We’re open Monday through Thursday until 9 O’Clock. This enables us to help people who have addictions, who have jobs or work different kinds of shifts,” said Carrel.

Muskingum Behavioral Health is now performing walk in daytime assessments Monday through Thursday. Carrel said this allows the organization to serve people faster and get them help almost immediately.