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LISBON – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is coming to Columbiana County on Oct. 11 to talk about the drug abuse problem, according to state Rep Tim Ginter, who swears it is not in response to all the media coverage of the shocking photograph of the woman who overdosed in the front seat of an SUV while her 4-year-old grandson looked on from his car seat.
Ginter, R-Salem, said DeWine’s visit has been in the works for the past month but the attorney general likely set a date for a month from now because of what occurred in East Liverpool on Sept. 7 that resulted in the now infamous photograph, which has spread across the country and world via other news outlets and social media.
“People will see this and will probably say, ‘Tim’s just reacting to this because of the East Liverpool situation,” he said. “I’ve had this date set aside for a couple of weeks now, and the attorney general just confirmed a time.”
DeWine is scheduled to convene a community meeting at a town and location yet to be determined, starting at 10 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to bring local elected officers, law enforcement, drug addiction counseling professionals and others to discuss what else needs done to address the growing overdose problem that seems to be overtaking some communities.
“Given recent events in East Liverpool that have shed light on how horrific this drug epidemic can really be, it is important we work together, transcending all party affiliations, to find solutions as soon as possible in coordination with our local communities,” Ginter said in a news release.
He was among state legislators who co-sponsored a bill last year providing easier access to an antidote that is used to revive people who have overdosed.
Ginter said DeWine is very concerned about the overdose problem in Ohio and the county. “They are aware of what is going on, so they think it is a very appropriate and advantageous time to come to Columbiana County,” he said.
Ginter wants an earnest and frank discussion of the problem that will result in some substantive recommendations he, DeWine and others can take back to Columbus. “I don’t want to say we held just another discussion” and nothing of substance was achieved, he said.
DeWine is just the latest state official planning to come to the county due to the drug scourge. Gov. John Kasich has asked for a meeting which is set for today. State Sen. Joe Schiavoni has also arranged to meet with city officials next week.