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Columbus mayor tackles heroin in State of the City

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — Mayor Jim Lienhoop used his State Of The City address to bring attention to a string of recent heroin overdoses in Columbus.

The mayor called heroin use the city’s “most troubling issue.”

“We are facing an increase in drug use, particularly heroin, that is growing exceedingly fast,” Lienhoop said.

Six people in Bartholomew County have died from heroin overdoses this year, according to the coroner. The sheriff’s office and Columbus police have investigated a combined 18 heroin overdoses over the past three months.

Lienhoop said the police chief and the sheriff signed an agreement this week to team up on drug investigations. He said city and county police will gather and share information on local drug dealers.

The mayor said the city will also partner with mental health providers so addicts can get help.

Beth Gruenewald is an addictions therapist with the Centerstone drug rehab program in Columbus.

“We’re seeing more people saying they started at a very young age,” Gruenewald said. “One individual said they started shooting up when they were 11.”

Gruenewald is hoping the mayor sticks to his word and helps people find treatment. She said over the past year, two of her clients have overdosed and died.

“Maybe they wanted just one last hit,” she said. “Sometimes that last hit is their last hit.”

Lienhoop said the police partnership will help cut out the drug supply. But he said demand, not supply, is the primary driver of drug addiction.

“There will be no quick fix,” Lienhoop said. “But I want all of you to understand that we’re aware of the challenge and are taking steps to address it.”

Mayor Lienhoop said the city will also partner with courts and social service agencies to help people get treatment. He said city leaders will in April to discuss those plans in detail.

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