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Good Samaritans won’t be punished as Leetonia addresses drug scourge

 

LEETONIA– In response to a rash of drug-related deaths in the area, Mayor Kevin Siembida announced Wednesday the village administration will be embracing Ohio’s 911 Good Samaritan law.

The law provides immunity to people who call for medical assistance for someone overdosing on illegal drugs, as well as to the person who overdosed.

“In light of the tragic incident last Friday (two village residents died of a drug-related overdose, believed to be heroin), we have a very serious issue that needs to be addressed,” Siembida said.

Siembida said anyone who reports an overdose will not be charged with criminal activity. Additionally, residents will be permitted to turn over drugs without being charged and users can turn themselves in for help without being charged.

“The issue now is saving lives,” Siembida said.

He encouraged family members and users to contact him, Police Chief Harry Lovejoy or other members of the administration to start intervention.

“If we do not address it now, it’s only going to get worse,” he noted.

Immunity is only good for two times and not available to people on parole. The law also requires the person who overdosed to receive a referral for treatment within 30 days of receiving medical assistance.

Lovejoy assured residents the immunity offered will not change the department’s tactics in battling the drug epidemic. Those who do not report the problem and continue to abuse the law will face charges, he said.

“We won’t stop combating the drug problem, but help those people who really need the help,” he said.

Council also approved the purchase of Narcan, the drug used to reverse the effects of an overdose, for the police department. Lovejoy will train the officers in its use.

In other business, council approved the second reading of an ordinance waiving the residency requirement for Lovejoy, who lives in Ravenna. Council passed the ordinance as an emergency in order to avoid the residency clause in his six-month probation.

Councilman Chris Earl cast the only dissenting vote. He said after the meeting he voted no because he had heard from residents who felt the police chief should live in the village. Siembida also noted after the meeting that he believes Lovejoy to be the correct person for the position and his residency should not matter if he is doing a proper job.

In other business, council approved the third and final readings of resolutions granting 2 percent raises to all hourly employees. The raises take effect Nov. 28 for those paid weekly and Dec. 1 for those paid monthly.

Siembida requested council consider the raises last month, noting the cost of living has gone up by 1.8 percent since the previous wage increase. Council previously approved 2 percent raises for hourly employees in November of 2014 and position specific raises for salaried employees in March 2015.

Siembida asked to have until the end of the year to conduct performance evaluations of salaried employees and make recommendations at that time.

Council also granted permission for Lovejoy to trade in five old revolvers at $300 each for five Glock pistols. The new pistols are valued for law enforcement at $380 each, so the department would save $400, Lovejoy noted.

Council accepted the resignation of reserve officer Kenneth McLaughlin and granted permission to parks board member Paul DiRocco to advertise for quotes for maintenance of the coke ovens facility.

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at village hall, preceded by a water committee meeting at 6 p.m. and EMS committee meeting at 6:45 p.m.

khowell@salemnews.net

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