Ohio mayors seek emergency response center for opioid crisis

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

An organization representing Ohio big-city mayors urged Republican Gov. John Kasich to establish an emergency operations center to coordinate the state’s response to the opioid crisis.

In a letter dated Monday, the Ohio Mayors Alliance commends Ohio’s work so far, but suggests seven potential improvements based on observations gathered from their local communities.

“We are witnessing an unfolding catastrophe, unparalleled in our state’s recent history, and more needs to be done by all of us to confront this deadly epidemic,” the group wrote.

The group’s top idea is to establish a joint operations center similar to what might appear during a disease outbreak.

“As we surveyed our member communities to understand what was being done on the ground, it became clear that insufficient information flow between different levels of government was impairing our collective ability to make sound policy decisions,” the mayors wrote.

A Kasich spokesman said the administration will give serious consideration to the mayors’ recommendations.

“We welcome all ideas that can provide those on our front lines with new tools and resources to help,” spokesman Jon Keeling said.

The five members who make up the group’s board signed the letter: John Cranley of Cincinnati, Lydia Mihalik of Findlay, Tim DeGeeter of Parma, Andrew Ginther of Columbus and Don Patterson of Kettering.