Columbiana agencies sponsor drug abuse reduction program

Columbiana agencies sponsor drug abuse reduction program

SALEM — A suspected drug dealer was arrested last week across the street from the Columbiana County Municipal Court after a 100 mph chase by police.

Detective Dan Downard, the head of the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, said that was actually the third drug arrest made recently on the road in front of the court building.

Drug abuse, Downard said, “is definitely a problem.”

The problem, he said, is increasing. To help solve it, the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board  and the Family Recovery Center will sponsor a program to try to reduce drug and alcohol abuse in the county.

Kathleen Chaffee, associate director of the recovery services board, said it isn’t clear what program or programs might be chosen. Broad, community-based programs are needed, she believes.

A countywide effort is the first large-scale plan to deal with the problem.

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.