Middletown, Ohio pol proposes three-strikes-style policy on overdose 911 calls.

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

One politician’s solution to the overdose problem: Let addicts die

By Cleve R. Wootson Jr. June 30 at 6:26 AM

Under a plan by a city council member in Ohio, people who dial 911 seeking help for someone who's overdosing on opioids would start hearing something new from dispatchers: “No.”

In response to the opioid epidemic that swept the nation — including the small city of Middletown, population 50,000 — council member Dan Picard floated an idea that's been called more of “a cry of frustration” than a legitimate solution.

At a council meeting last week, Picard proposed a three-strikes-style policy for people who repeatedly overdose: Too many overdoses and authorities wouldn't send an ambulance to resuscitate them.

Picard told The Washington Post that he sympathizes with anyone who has lost someone to drug abuse, but said that responding to an ever-increasing number of overdose calls threatens to bleed his city dry.

“It’s not a proposal to solve the drug problem,” Picard said this week. “My proposal is in regard to the financial survivability of our city. If we’re spending $2 million this year and $4 million next year and $6 million after that, we’re in trouble. We’re going to have to start laying off. We're going to have to raise taxes.”

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/06/28/a-council-members-solution-to-his-ohio-towns-overdose-problem-let-addicts-die/

[Gothmog]

1. This idiot is an ass

[irisblue]

2. So who will pick up the dead bodies? nt

[appleannie1943]

3. I have a daughter that is a nurse. She says that the same people come in time after time after time

They wake up with the Narcan, come unwillingly to the hospital and can't wait to leave so they can shoot up again. She has had to chase people down that leave without permission with the IV needles still in their arm. She has pulled IV needles out in the parking lot from people fighting her to keep it in place. While she is chasing after them, people with physical issues are not getting the care they need. It really is frustrating. It would make more sense if they were put somewhere that they can't gain access to drugs and get daily treatment once they have been saved whether they want it or not. Otherwise it is a waste of time.