News

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) - The pandemic has created hardship for many Americans and their families. For those already struggling with addiction, the weight of the burden can feel overwhelming. One business owner in Portsmouth is helping to carry the load in his hometown.

The first time Sarah Nerad entered rehab, she was 16 years old.

National Institutes of Health and other federal leaders outlined their vision for a groundbreaking study that will aim to address gaps in reaching communities most heavily affected by the opioid epidemic with proven, evidence-based interventions for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Despite losing some $3.3 billion from March 9 through July 1 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ohio’s hospitals are not only doubling down on finding solutions for caring for patients and putting an end to the coronavirus pandemic, but they’re partnering to stem the continued tide of opioid overdose deaths.

Every year, employers in the U.S. lose about $42 billion in economic productivity, according to the National Safety Council. The Council of Economic Advisers, meanwhile, estimates that opioid addiction (including the value of lives lost) has cost the country $696 billion, or 3.4% of GDP.

Judges in Ohio have postponed two major opioid trials involving lawsuits that seek to penalize drugmakers and distributors

--Wins $1.5m Award from Department Of Labor --

Solutions that can curb the nation’s opioid epidemic are out there – yet people are still dying.