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Democrats Want Lawmakers Called Back to the Statehouse to Deal With Ohio's Heroin Crisis

House Democrats like Greta Johnson (right of podium), are determined to address the crisis in Columbus.
STATEHOUSE NEWS BUREAU
House Democrats like Greta Johnson (right of podium), are determined to address the crisis in Columbus.
House Democrats like Greta Johnson (right of podium), are determined to address the crisis in Columbus.
Credit STATEHOUSE NEWS BUREAU
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STATEHOUSE NEWS BUREAU
House Democrats like Greta Johnson (right of podium), are determined to address the crisis in Columbus.

Democrats in the Ohio Legislature say the opioid -abuse crisis is so bad that all state lawmakers should be called together at the Statehouse to deal with it. 

Columbus police report they’ve responded to 35 suspected heroin overdoses in 24 hours. In 27 of those cases, paramedics were able to administer a drug that prevents some deadly overdoses.

Democratic Rep. Greta Johnson of Akron says the entire General Assembly should be called back into session now to come up with a strategic plan to help communities and money to fund it.

“This is all people are talking about. It’s the No. 1 issue on their minds.”

The full Legislature isn’t scheduled to come back into session until after the November election.

Senate President Keith Faber says legislation to deal with the opioid problem in Ohio is in the works but there is controversy over some details.

In a written statement, Gov. John Kasich’s office says he is working with local communities and lawmakers and has taken several actions to deal with prevention and treatment.

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Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.
Jo Ingles
Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment. Jo started her career in Louisville, Kentucky in the mid 80’s when she helped produce a televised presidential debate for ABC News, worked for a creative services company and served as a general assignment report for a commercial radio station. In 1989, she returned back to her native Ohio to work at the WOSU Stations in Columbus where she began a long resume in public radio.