A bag filled with drug paraphernalia can be seen June 28 in Portland, Ore.
AP Photo/Jenny Kane
LIMA — The Lima Police Department recently posted on its Facebook page about an increase in overdoses in Lima over the past few weeks.
With September being National Recovery Month, where organizations try to increase public awareness about mental health and addiction recovery, local organizations and law enforcement agencies shared their experiences with addiction and overdoses and the help that is available.
The problem
Lima Fire Chief Andy Heffner said his department responded to 85 overdoses so far this year. He said the overdose numbers have risen and fallen throughout the year, with about one-week breaks in between. He believed the numbers were based on the drugs available in the area.
Project Auglaize County Addiction Response Team Project Coordinator/Peer Support Specialist Brittany Boneta spoke on the reason for the overdose spikes.
“When it comes to overdoses, one is too many,” Boneta said. “I think the number of overdoses comes in waves. There could be a really bad batch of heroin or fentanyl that gets distributed throughout the county that could lead to a spike in overdoses.”
Heffner cited the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website, which said seven out of every 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. The website also said 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be enough to kill someone.
“It only takes one time when Narcan is not available that you could lose your life. If you get clean, you will never have to worry about an overdose, and neither will the people that love you,” Heffner said.
Bath Township Fire Chief Joe Kitchen said his department used Narcan 21 times on patients from August 2023 to August 2024. The department also distributes Narcan to families just in case an overdose occurs.
“Although we have only left behind a few kits so far, I think it gives the family of a known addict some peace of mind that they could assist them in the event of an OD prior to EMS arrival,” Kitchen said.
Another problem is a tranquilizer called Xylazine is being mixed with fentanyl, which does not respond to the usual methods of reversal.
“There are always new drugs/drug combinations being introduced on the streets that make it difficult for those in the treatment world to keep up with and know how to effectively treat,” said Jamie Declercq, the vice president of clinical operations for Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions. “Right now, we are seeing an increase in substances (such as Xylazine) across the county which does not respond to Narcan, so that is likely one reason for the increase in overdose deaths.”
Their stories
Boneta was addicted to opiates and crack cocaine over a seven-year period, and her addiction journey started when she was prescribed Percocet by a cardiologist for a heart condition when she was 18.
“There wasn’t a drug I wouldn’t use,” Boneta said. “I was an honor roll student in high school with more trauma than almost anyone I know, and when I went off to college I wasn’t educated on the true dangers of drugs, the thirst to fit in, and all of my trauma stuffed down.”
When her doctor stopped prescribing Percocet, she bought them from drug dealers, not knowing they were laced with heroin.
“When the drug supply of the fake Percocet ran out, I was just buying actual heroin. The heroin was starting to have fentanyl added to it, and before long that was all I was consuming,” Boneta said.
Boneta was eventually sent to prison for drugs, and during that time her 6-year-old son was involved in a house fire and suffered serious injuries.
“I was transported from the prison, in my orange jumpsuit and shackles on my wrists and ankles, to say my goodbyes to my son. I think seeing him lying there in a coma covered in bandages was something so soul-shaking that I knew this was my rock bottom,” Boneta said.
“My son had countless surgeries and was getting better and stronger as the months went by, so I decided I was going to completely reset my life and work my butt off just as hard,” Boneta continued. “I completed as many recovery groups and classes as possible and started learning coping skills and tools to use when I was released from prison. I knew that I wanted to help other people like me and show them that people can understand what they are going through and not have judgment towards them.”
Diane Urban, of Delphos, the founder/president of the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs, started APALD because her youngest son died from a fentanyl overdose. Her older son is also a former addict, and her niece is in active addiction.
“He was clean for the last nine months of his life, he came to live with me, and he relapsed due to an ingrown wisdom tooth that was coming in, his face was swelling up, and because he had Medicaid, we couldn’t find him any help anywhere except for a place in Van Wert, and it was a two-week out appointment. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to me, he relapsed, and I found him dead in his bedroom from a fentanyl overdose,” Urban said.
Challenges to get help
Transportation, not enough of a variety of local recovery options available and financial barriers were all cited as issues addicts face when they decide to get help.
“For peers that are needing inpatient treatment or sober living, we have to send them to other counties for help,” Boneta said. “There is definitely a need for more substance abuse treatment in our county.”
Declercq said Allen County also has a need for inpatient or residential treatment, and people who need that care have to go to one of the major cities nearby.
Urban dealt with having to go outside the area when her son got help.
“Seven years ago when I had to get help for my son, we had to go to Columbus. There was no help to get in right away because (Coleman Health Services) was so backed up,” Urban said. “There can never be enough resources because what happens is all these resource centers and rehabilitation centers, they keep you for a period of time then they release you, and a lot of people when they get released like that, they don’t have adequate support for more of a long-term stay, more of them tend to relapse.”
Urban said her son got treatment for free with Medicaid, but in her experience, organizations prioritize people who have insurance.
Auglaize County Sheriff Mike Vorhees also mentioned a challenge with people not having a way to get to treatment.
“We don’t provide transportation yet, but that’s something that we’re working on,” Vorhees said in regard to the services Project ACART provides. “It depends on who it is. If it’s an elderly person, we can work with the Council on Aging; if it’s a veteran we go through Veterans Services.”
Financially, Declercq said Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions’ case managers help people apply for Medicaid, or the local mental health board has options for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid.
“One of the most frustrating barriers for seeking treatment is those with commercial insurance or Medicare, as those companies only pay for very limited services,” Declercq said. “Commercial plans typically pay for a short detox stay and limited individual/group counseling sessions, but do not pay for the intensive level of treatment that a program like Lighthouse offers.”
“Thirty days of treatment and/or 10 individual counseling sessions are not enough to truly treat a person who has been in active addiction for years,” Declercq continued. “Oftentimes even one year of intense treatment only touches the surface of the issues that someone in addiction needs to address.”
Available help
Project ACART has only been around about a year, and Boneta is working part-time and is the only employee. She has reached out to 19 people so far, and only two have denied treatment. She put together a resource guide in 2023 including mental health and substance abuse centers; residential detox treatment centers; 24/7 support services; substance use support groups; where to find Narcan; food pantries, hot meals and clothing; housing assistance and shelters; and low income and subsidized housing.
Boneta received help from peer support specialists through Coleman Health Services during her addiction. Now, as a peer support specialist, she uses a combination of her own experiences and formal training. She equated her role to being like a cheerleader. She is available to clients day and night to connect them to agencies to get help or just talk about their struggles.
“I meet people where they’re at and treat every situation differently. Some of the things I do are assessing needs and struggles, setting goals, advocating for my peers, giving resources, facilitating engagement with my peers and their families or service providers, and encouraging and uplifting them,” Boneta said.
Project ACART’s services are also free because of an Ohio grant.
“Many people in active addiction do not have housing, food, clothing, money or insurance, but they should still have the opportunity to get the help they need,” Boneta said.
Declercq said Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions also recently opened a peer support center in Lima for clients to have a place to go for sober activities.
“Downtime/boredom is often a trigger for people who are early in recovery, so this gives them a place to fill that time in a positive way,” Declercq said. “Our peer supporters offer a unique support system to our clients because they are people with past lived experience in addiction who are able to show them that life beyond addiction is achievable and fulfilling.”
Coleman’s seemed to be the go-to choice for law enforcement referrals, and Urban also directs people to the organization.
“My oldest son was a success story, he went to Coleman’s, got treatment, got on the MAT (medication-assisted treatment) program, Suboxone, and he’s thriving today. Owns his own house, owns his own business, married, doing absolutely wonderful. He’s like eight years clean,” Urban said.
Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities Recovery Within Reach program also provides a list of recovery resources and offers ways to pay for treatment.
Mental health and substance abuse help:
Project ACART (Auglaize County Addiction Response Team)
1051 Dearbaugh Ave., Wapakoneta
419-738-2278, [email protected]
Certified peer support specialist, overdose response and help with recovery
Brightview
1505 N. Cole St., Lima
866-934-7450, www.brightviewhealth.com
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Coleman Health Services — Lima
799 S. Main St., Lima
419-229-2222, www.colemanservices.org
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Coleman Health Services — St. Marys
720 Armstrong St., St. Marys
419-300-7630, www.colemanservices.org
Walk-in clinics on Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Coleman Health Services — Wapakoneta
16 E. Auglaize St., Wapakoneta
567-242-6377, www.colemanservices.org
Walk-in clinics on Tuesdays from 12 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Coleman Health Services — Changing Seasons, drop-in center
529 S. Elizabeth St., Lima
567-242-6044, www.colemanservices.org/services/counseling
Mental health, peer-led drop-in wellness, recovery and support center
Community Medical Services
2787 St. Johns Road Suite D, Lima
567-940-9145, www.communitymedicalservices.org
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Cornerstone of Hope
2963 Blue Jacket Court, Lima
419-581-9138, www.cornerstoneofhopelima.org
Mental health
Creative Counseling Solutions
2653 W. Elm St., Lima
419-222-5449, www.creativecounselingsolutions.com
Mental health
Family Resource Center — Lima
530 S. Main St., Lima
419-222-1168, www.frcohio.com
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Family Resource Center — St. Marys
720 Armstrong St., St. Marys
419-394-7451, www.frcohio.com
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Family Resource Center — Wapakoneta
3 N. Pine St., Wapakoneta
419-359-2256, www.frcohio.com
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Health Partners of Western Ohio — Dr. Gene Wright Community Health Center
441 E. Eighth St., Lima
419-221-3072, www.hpwohio.org/service/substance-use-treatment
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Health Partners of Western Ohio — QuickCare
1550 N. Main St., Lima
419-516-0327, www.hpwohio.org/service/substance-use-treatment
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions
924 N. Cable Road, Lima
419-969-3125, www.lighthousebhsolutions.com
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Lima Recovery Clinic
1273 N. Cole St., Lima
419-302-3574, www.limarecovery.com
Walk-in clinics Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
SperoHealth
709 N. Cable Road Suite A, Lima
567-371-4398, www.sperohealth.com
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio
616 S. Collett St. Suite 203, Lima
419-879-6029
Re-entry transition services, employment assistance, financial stability program, behavioral health, drug and alcohol counseling, emergency food pantry
AJA Behavioral
3478 W. Elm St., Lima
419-335-6122, www.ajabehavioral.com
Mental health
Progress | Professional Counseling
110 W. Mechanic St. Suite 205, Wapakoneta
419-979-9577, www.progresscounseling.org
Counseling, including substance use assessment
St. Rita’s Internal Medicine and Medication Management
750 W. High St. Suite 240, Lima
419-996-5037, www.mercy.com/locations/specialty-locations/anticoagulation-clinics/mercy-health-at-st-ritas-medication-management
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
UMADAOP (Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Programs)
311 E. Market St. Third Floor, Lima
419-222-4474, www.limaumadaop.com/single-service-mat.html
MAT, mental health and substance abuse
Residential Detox Treatment:
Coleman Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
797 S. Main St., Lima
419-228-4673, www.colemanservices.org/services/coleman-crisis-stabilization-unit
Findlay Recovery Center
1800 Manor Hill Road, Findlay
844-228-4673, www.findlayrecoverycenter.com
Full Circle Recovery
7400 Swaney Road, Bluffton
937-660-9052, www.ohiofullcircle.com
Ohio Recovery Center
15145 Lincoln Highway, Van Wert
419-904-4158, www.recoveryohio.org
Ridgeview Hospital
17872 Lincoln Highway, Middlepoint
419-863-3054, www.ridgeviewhospital.net
St. Rita’s Medical Center
730 W. Market St., Lima
419-226-9029, https://www.mercy.com/locations/hospitals/lima/st-ritas-medical-center
24/7 Support Services:
Never Use Alone Inc.
800-484-3731, www.neverusealone.com
Overdose prevention
Coleman Health Services — We Care Regional Crisis Center
797 S. Main St., Lima
800-567-4673, www.wecarepeople.org/wecarecrisis
Substance Use Support Groups:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
www.area55aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
www.na.org
Celebrate Recovery
www.celebraterecovery.com
Lima Noon-Thirty (AA, NA)
1606 W. Elm St., Lima
www.area55aa.org/meetings/lima-downtown-group-5
NAMI
www.nami.org/findsupport
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
www.samhsa.gov/find-support/health-care-or-support/support-group-or-local-program
Smart Recovery
www.smartrecovery.org, https://meetings.smartrecovery.org
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (NA)
1209 W. North St., Lima
419-227-1961
Trinity UMC (NA)
301 W. Market St., Lima
419-227-0800, www.limatrinityumc.org/mission-and-outreach
Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) — Naloxone (aka Narcan) Distribution Program:
Allen County Public Health
219 E. Market St., Lima
419-228-4457, www.allencountypublichealth.org/health-education/project-dawn
Blanchard Valley Hospital — Bluffton Hospital
139 Garau St., Bluffton
419-358-9010, www.bvhealthsystem.org
Guiding Light Ministries
592 S. Main St., Lima
419-236-7935, 567-289-5724, www.guidinglighthome.org
Mercy Health — St. Rita’s Medical Center
730 W. Market St., Lima
419-227-3361
https://www.mercy.com/locations/hospitals/lima/st-ritas-medical-center
PASS (Prevention Awareness Support Services)
309 W. High St. Suite A, Lima
419-549-8530, www.passaah.org
A portion of information from Project ACART’s 2023 Resource Guide.
Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.
