The opioid crisis that gripped Ohio in 2015 and has since continued into 2016 knows no boundaries.

The drugs have plagued cities, suburbs and rural areas throughout the state, forcing law enforcement, legislators and concerned citizens to take action against the substances.

Mount Gilead Safety Committee chair Kay Hines took time to address the ongoing opioid issue during Council’s June 20 meeting, after previously hosting discussion with the committee.

“We’re concerned about the drugs coming into the village,” Hines said. “We are seeing a high volume of narcotics coming in. It’s here folks.”

The Safety Committee has been in communication with Mount Gilead law enforcement to address the issue.

Morrow County health agencies have begun to implement Naloxone, a drug that blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing within two to eight minutes, in overdose cases.

County law enforcement and emergency personnel have also begun carrying to reduce the number of overdoses in Morrow.

The Safety Committee will meet next on July 25 at 7 p.m.

Fire Department

Mount Gilead Fire Chief Greg Young announced the Department would like to begin selling unused items on govdeals.com.

Council is expected to draft a resolution to honor the chief’s request by its next meeting, which will be held after its special meeting on July 11 at 6 p.m. The regular meeting is expected to begin at 7 p.m.

Village administrator

Mount Gilead Village Administrator Dan Rogers announced he will be holding a public hearing on July 5 in council chambers.

After which, he will release the village’s annual consumer confidence report.

Rogers has also begun preliminary work necessary for resurfacing the village’s basketball and tennis courts. He stated that he had received a quote for each facility’s surface repair.

By Zach Jones

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Reach Jones at 419-946-3010