Addiction claims lives in Ottawa County

Read about the addiction recovery movement.PORT CLINTON — A new plague is killing people.But unlike some diseases that only impact certain populations or areas, the opioid epidemic hasn't spared anyone, regardless of their age, sex or position in life.The epidemic has spread in such a quick and horrifying fashion that many health and law enforcement officials are comparing it to a disease."For many people with opioid dependency, it's no longer a choice," Ottawa County coroner Daniel Cadigan said. "We as a society need to begin to recognize that addiction is an illness."As a professional medical examiner, Cadigan knows about the human cost of opioids. He routinely reads autopsy reports of residents who died because of heroin or fentanyl entering their bodies.In 2015, just four people suffered an opioid-related death in Ottawa County.The amount soared to at least 12 in 2016, and it's possible that figure could increase, depending on the results of pending toxicology reports."It's a very disturbing figure," Cadigan said. "If we had that many fatal accidents in one year, people would be screaming."The problem is getting worse, and Cadigan thinks he's identified the reasons.Prescription problemIt seems a connection exists between overprescribing pain medication and the opioid epidemic.Although today's state and local governments crack down on illegitimate or unneeded prescriptions, this wasn't always the case.In fact, starting in the late 1990s, prescriptions flowed more freely.An argument could be made that shows the state, at one time, mandated the use of more opioids. That's because some hospitals were rated on patient pain scores."When that happens, you don't want anyone walking out of your facility saying you couldn't control their pain," Cadigan said. "The prescriptions skyrocketed, and a lot of people ended up on opioids."Eventually, the state started cutting back and cracking down on the prescription pill problem. But, by then, many Ohio residents were hooked on deadly and addictive drugs.With the prescription well drying up, some addicts sought street drugs.Fear of painHave a problem? Take a pill.It's that mentality, the need for immediate gratification, that Cadigan fears have turned drugs into crutches."I feel we're not accepting, as individuals, that we shouldn't be able to have it all," Cadigan said. "There's a notion that if you feel pain, at any time, you should be free of it. But that's not always a reality."With this outlook, common stressors, such as job or relationship trouble, can lead anyone down a dangerous path."People look for an escape, and, unfortunately, drugs have become that escape," Cadigan said.Cadigan compared today's society to the world of 50 years ago."If you speak to people from that time and ask them how they dealt with stress, they say they toughed it out," Cadigan said. "But now there has to be a treatment or pill to make it all better. Our society has promoted the idea that things should always be perfect."Lack of helpWhere do you take someone to recover from an addiction?For many Ottawa County residents, it's a frustrating and difficult question to answer.Cadigan said public perception of the opioid epidemic, particularly in Ottawa County, isn't at an appropriate level."There's still this perception that drug use occurs only in certain areas of society," Cadigan said.To say "addiction won't happen to me, my kids or my family," isn't the right approach, Cadigan said."We're seeing addiction in all walks of life," Cadigan said. "We're seeing it in kids. Some of them are just like everyone else when they're young, but then they just get into the wrong situation."Despite the uphill battle, Ottawa County officials are trying to help.A panel comprised of commissioners, law enforcement officers, recovering addicts, court employees and Cadigan has visited several area communities to talk about addiction. But these conversations aren't reaching enough people."Only the press, local politicians and some school or county employees show up," Cadigan said. "The average community members oftentimes don't go. The people who need to be there are the ones who don't think addiction can impact them."The next panel will meet in the coming weeks. An exact date and location hasn't been released. Other programs, including the drug and mental health programs in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court, Light House Sober living, and other counseling services exist."Light House Sober Living gives people who are serious about recovery a place to live where they are surrounded by others who want to get clean," facility director Kenn Bower Jr. said. Ottawa County isn't alone in its fight against opioids.But it seems the county is lagging behind its neighbors in terms of treatment."There needs to be a bigger push from the public health sector," Cadigan said. "We need to keep pushing community education efforts."Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Levorchick called on each resident to help. "If you believe that someone in your life is dealing with addiction, then do everything you can to help them because you just might save their life," Levorchick said. Law enforcement adaptsThe opioid epidemic has changed law enforcement practices."We started putting Narcan on the belt of every patrol deputy about three years ago," Levorchick said. "Honestly, when our patrol deputies respond to certain calls, the first thing they look for is if they need to apply Narcan."Dangerous drugs have also changed how police respond to any incident."Whenever we're searching any suspect we have to be conscious of what we're doing," Levorchick said. "We have to be aware of needles or certain types of fentanyl, which can be absorbed through the skin and cause an overdose."Human costThis is the second article in a three-part series showing the human cost of the opioid epidemic. On March 5, the Register published 37 photos of individuals who died in Erie County last year from overdose and addiction- related causes.The photos of 11 people who also succumbed to opioid-related deaths in Ottawa County are included here. The Register will then continue its series soon with the opioid-related deaths in 2016 that occurred in Sandusky County.Read more about the opioid epidemic in Ottawa County.Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterFor educational purposes, the Ottawa County Drug Force has various drugs in bags to demonstrate the differences and similarities between popular street drugs such as cocaine and crack. The bags also have information about the amount and value of the contents. Edwin Wilburn, 48, died on April 9, 2016. Cause of death: combined drug toxicity, with evidence of ethanol and oxycodone found on autopsy. Courtney Dombrowski, 24, died March 21, 2016. Cause of death: combined drug toxicity with evidence of cocaine and heroin metabolites found during the autopsy. Michelle Caldwell, 50, died on March 25, 2016. Cause of death: combined drug toxicity, including traces of oxycodone, fentanyl, and cocaine.Harold Carter, 47, died on April 16, 2016. Cause of death: combined drug toxicity with evidence of cocaine and heroin found on autopsy. Donald Krizan, 31, died on May 26, 2016. Cause of death: combined drug toxicity with heroin and fentanyl found in his system. Brittany Blankenship, 24, died on Sept. 12, 2016. Cause of death: combined drug intoxication, including 3-methylfentanyl. Kelly Ashelman, 48, died on Nov. 5, 2016. Cause of death: Combined drug toxicity with cocaine and heroin metabolites found in her body. John Ludu, 49, died on Aug. 28, 2016. Cause of death: cardiovascular disease. Control substances, such as metabolites unique to heroin and valium, were found on autopsy and may have been contributing factors in his death. Marcus Zimmerman, 33, died on Aug. 1, 2016. Cause of death: motorcycle accident. Opioids, including evidence of heroin and hydrocodone, found during the autopsy. David Beck, 57, died in March 2016. Cause of death: ammonia. Metabolites of valium, along with evidence of hydrocodone and oxycontin, found during the autopsy. Donna Marando-Irion, 62, died on Aug. 2, 2016. Cause of death: drowning. Evidence of combined drug toxicity, including oxycodone, diazepam found during the autopsy. Not pictured: Lawrence Jenkins, 59, died on Aug. 14, 2016. Cause of death: combined drug intoxication, including oxycodone and alprazolam.