Advocates welcome progress in stopping overdose deaths
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 11, 2025) – Tuscarawas County is even outpacing the strong numbers at the state and federal levels when it comes to reducing overdose deaths.
A new CDC report shows overdose deaths nationwide dropped an estimated 27 percent from 2023 to 2024.
They went down more than 35 percent during that time in Ohio.
But local ADAMHS Board Director Natalie Bollon says overdose deaths in Tuscarawas County decreased from about 23 in 2023 to 11 last year, after peaking at 29 in 2021.
She credits numerous agencies here focusing on prevention and recovery services, along with the creation of the Hope Line, at 330-663-6812.
She says access to federal funding has also been critical for the state to implement these programs.