Lorain County commissioners keeping focus on opioid crisis | Editorial

The opioid crisis remains a major health problem, and Lorain County commissioners deserve credit for keeping the issue at the forefront.

During the Sept. 14 meeting of the commissioners, the board heard from speakers who discussed the feelings of sadness, anger, frustration and hopelessness that signify this terrible opioid crisis.

Comments ranged from the number of Lorain County residents who died from a drug overdose in 2021, to the role grandparents play in caring for their grandchildren when their parents are sidelined by addiction problems.

To show their appreciation for the work being done to combat the opioid crisis, the commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing “First Responders Week-Bringing Help, Bringing Hope,” which takes place Sept. 18-24, to Michael Doud, executive director of the Mental Health Addiction and Rehabilitation Services Board of Lorain County.

The commissioners issued a second proclamation recognizing September as “Grandparent-Kinship Month” to Kristin Berki-Fox, executive director of Lorain County Children Services, and its Kinship Care program, that allows children whose parents are battling addiction to live with their grandparents instead of in foster care.

MHARS is on the front line in helping those battling addiction, and Doud and his staff see firsthand the devastating effects of the opioid crisis.

Doud told the commissioners that in 2021 143 people in Lorain County died from a drug overdose, while 463 survived one.

The MHARS Board helps addicts get the treatment they need to beat addiction while directing their family members and loved ones to services that can help them deal with the effects of the disease.

Lorain County Children Services’ Kinship Care also deserves recognition because the program allows family members to take custody of children of parents fighting addiction.

Children in the program can retain a sense of normalcy and stay part of a family unit instead of being shuffled off into a foster care program.

And no one knows better than grandmother Karen Brady, 65, of Avon.

Brady is a Kinship Care member raising her two grandchildren after her daughter Brianna died of an overdose at the age of 24 in August 2021.

In emotional and moving testimony to the commissioners, Brady put a human face on the opioid crisis.

Brady, along with other Kinship Care members, lined up behind Berki-Fox, who read a brief statement about the Kinship Care program.

When Commissioner Matt Lundy asked if anyone else wanted to speak, Brady came forward.

Fighting through tears, she told the commissioners that when Brianna ingested fentanyl, she became one of the 143 mentioned by Doud.

Brady loves her grandchildren, but raising them is not a task to take lightly.

She admits it’s hard, but she is so grateful that she has the help of the Kinship Care program.

Brady also would like to see the government create laws mandating treatment for people battling drug addiction.

Brianna did receive treatment, but Brady feels it wasn’t enough to battle the disease.

But Brady has stepped up to raise her granddaughters.

For Brady, her moment of truth came recently when she went to an event where her 5-year-old granddaughter was cheerleading and an announcer told the crowd the children are part of the Class of 2035.

In 2035, Brady will be nearly 80 years old still raising teenagers.

That is a lot of responsibility.

Brady is advocating for more treatment centers and more sober living homes, and suggested the pharmaceutical companies should be made to pay their share of the costs.

Unfortunately, Brady’s misery continues to unfold.

She told the commissioners that she has an older daughter who also is battling addiction, and now is in jail.

Brady takes solace in knowing that while her daughter is behind bars, she’s somewhat safe.

But one day, the jailers will release her daughter.

Lundy expressed his condolence for Brady’s loss.

Since becoming a commissioner, Lundy has frequently talked about the drug problem in the county during commissioner meetings.

On several occasions, he has mentioned how the Lorain County Jail serves as a detox center, as so many of those who find themselves booked on crimes are in the throes of battling addiction.

The question remains: Can officials force people into treatment?

It’s not clear.

We believe education can play a role in battling addiction.

What we do know is that agencies like the MHARS Board and Lorain County Children Services are needed.

The commissioners should be commended for keeping this dreadful opioid problem a major headline.