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Couple charged with involuntary manslaughter for August overdose death

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An Ashland couple has been indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection to an opiate overdose that occurred in August 2016.

Christopher and Danielle Luce were indicted by the Ashland County grand jury on Thursday, according to a news release from Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell.

Christopher Luce’s mother, Sharon Parker was also indicted on two counts of obstructing justice for allegedly “providing transportation and other means for her son and his wife to elude authorities in connection with the case,” according to the release. [Read more…]

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Fentanyl overdose deaths soar in 2016 in Lake County

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Opiate overdose deaths nearly tripled last year in Lake County, primarily due to a spike in deaths caused by fentanyl, statistics show.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office attributed 72 deaths last year to heroin, fentanyl or a combination of the two drugs. That’s up from the 28 people killed by those drugs in 2015 and the 27 who died in 2014, the coroner’s office said.

“It is clear that we have an epidemic of opiate abuse in Lake County, so we need address the problem as the public health crisis it is,” Ron H. Graham, the commissioner of the Lake County General Health District, said Wednesday in a statement. “The increased number of lives lost in 2016 is heartbreaking.” [Read more…]

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Knapik denies carfentanil possession

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A Wooster man has denied charges he was in possession of carfentanil when he was arrested earlier this year following a search warrant.

Nicholas D. Knapik, 32, 743 Spink St., has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated possession of drugs, possession and possessing drug abuse instruments.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 17 in front of Judge Mark K. Wiest.

Donald Hall, director of the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, said during a warrant search at Knapik’s residence he was allegedly found with carfentanil. [Read more…]

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Rittman, Medway tackling opiate epidemic

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With the opiate epidemic hitting the city hard, Chief Ray Arcuri is grateful the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency is working with the Rittman Police Department to make a dent in it.

“The overwhelming issue in Rittman and Ohio is the opiate epidemic,” Arcuri said. “It’s too comfortable for drug dealers and users. … There is only so much you can do with a black-and-white cruiser and a police officer.”

Though Rittman is the smallest of Wayne County’s three cities, it is the second busiest in terms of the opiate epidemic, Medway Director Don Hall. What Medway agents and police officers are finding is people using carfentanil, a very potent elephant tranquilizer. [Read more…]

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Heroin: Your first time may be your last

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