Columbiana County sees alarming increase in meth and fentanyl use

COLUMBUS COUNTY, Ohio — Columbiana County is struggling with an increase in methamphetamine and fentanyl use, contributing to an increase in drug-related incidents and overdoses.

The severity of the county’s drug problem became clear in February when the Columbiana County Drug Task Force seized over 9,000 fentanyl tablets, each weighing just over a kilogram, disguised as Percocet.

“This is a huge seizure for a place like Columbiana County,” said Jesse Smith, head of the task force. “Any drug task force across the country would be happy to get a seizure like this.”

Smith believes a significant portion of the drugs in the county come from across the Mexican border and then end up in cities like Cleveland, Columbus and Akron.

“In Columbiana County, we have a two-fold problem,” Smith said. “First, we have drug addicts who live here and buy drugs, and then we have drug dealers from out of town – Youngstown, Cleveland, Columbus or elsewhere – who see Columbiana County as a place where they can easily come and sell drugs.”

Smith added that the types of drugs vary by location, with methamphetamine being more prevalent in the northern half of the country, including Salem, while southern cities such as East Liverpool and Wellsville have higher levels of cocaine and fentanyl.

Smith noted a significant increase in meth use throughout the county.

“What you end up seeing is that people who don’t have anything to look forward to or meaning or hope find something that makes them feel good,” said Anthony Watt, clinical director of the Family Recovery Center. “And that seems to be part of it. And then once they get into it, it’s hard to get out. So it’s really important to give them meaning, and we don’t do that well.”

The crisis is exacerbated by the lack of adequate treatment options in the region. Columbiana County has only detox clinics and no inpatient rehabilitation centers. Watt said it is often challenging for smaller counties to secure the necessary support, forcing them to send patients to other areas.

“Just the way the community views people who struggle with addiction,” Watt said. “It’s hard to change.”

“If they feel like there’s no hope of getting out of there, or no hope after they get out of there, then it’s all pointless. And that and the resources. In fact, it’s difficult to provide them with jobs, to find places to go, to give them a purpose.”

The Family Recovery Center is working to add more programs to educate youth.