HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Perhaps the biggest challenge facing law enforcement along the Lakeshore as 2018 begins is the opioid epidemic.
There has been a sharp increase in cases and deaths stemming from use of various forms of opiates, and while new state laws cracking down on prescriptions were signed over the holidays, the problem goes far beyond that, according to Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker, who said, “The key is, is when they get out of our facility, we do have programs in our community fpr treatment and followup. I’ve seen some great success stories of people turning their lives around, and I’ve seen the horror stories of families just torn apart by overdoses, deaths and addictions.”
Ottawa County deputies carry the nasal spray Narcan with them in their prowl cars, and Allegan County Sheriff Frank Baker is looking into doing the same, saying, “We’re looking into and researching the availability of carrying it with our patrol cars so that, if we happen to be the first ones on the scene of an overdose that we can administer that.”
Both lawmen agreed that current opioid abuse crosses all social and economic lines during separate appearances the past two weeks on “WHTC Talk of the Town” with Ed Ver Schure.
