Commissioners proclaim Overdose Awareness Day
Seated, from left, are Commissioner Donald E. Leggett II, Commissioner Christopher R. Modranski and Commissioner Robert E. Wirkner. Standing are Debra Handrich, ADAMHS Board of Tuscarawas and Carroll counties; Karley Thompson, drug court liaison; Angela Pavlik, community engagement coordinator at the Carroll County General Health District; Lisa Winkler, community prevention coordinator at the health department; Kayla Stover, Compass; Weslee Warner, Southeast Healthcare; and Leslie Korns, ADAMHS.
Submitted
Carroll County Commissioners passed a proclamation for Overdose Awareness Day at their Aug. 21 meeting.
Several guests attended in support, including Leslie Korns, Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board manager of community services; Weslee Warner, Southeast Healthcare clinical director; Kayla Stover, COMPASS Rape Crisis public health and prevention supervisor; Lisa Winkler, Carroll County General Health District community prevention coordinator; Angela Pavlik, community engagement coordinator; Karley Thompson, Carroll County Common Pleas Drug Court; and Debra Handrich, Tuscarawas and Carroll County ADAMHS Board.
Carroll County lost seven residents to drug overdoses in 2024, and 25 residents were hospitalized for overdoses. So far in 2025, there have been 13 overdose-related hospitalizations.
Through Project Deaths Avoided With Naloxone at the Carroll County General Health District, overdose prevention efforts have expanded in the county.
Angela Pavlik explained there are free Narcan kits and Narcan education available at the health department. A total of 268 kits were given out last year, and 276 have already been distributed this year.
“We are on a projection to double the amount of Narcan given out this year,” Pavlik said. “Within the county there are public access boxes with Narcan and they have ones that can take unused medications.”
CCGHD is holding its first Overdose Awareness Day event Aug. 28 from 5-8 p.m. at the Carrollton Eagles. The guest speaker will be Kyle Overmyer, who has a powerful story to tell about addiction, recovery and hope. Pavlik advised anyone in the community is welcome to join.
In an unrelated matter, commissioners were visited by Lindsay Short, Soil and Water Conservation District director, and Jason Reynolds, SWCD technician, to discuss joining the County Risk Sharing Authority policy. Short noted last year’s $10,000 budget request covered the $9,268 insurance invoice, and that the estimated cost for joining CORSA would be about $1,100, based on information from Chris Jones of Wichert Insurance and Deputy Auditor Christine Timmerman.
Commissioner Chris Modranski confirmed CORSA would cover buildings, equipment and vehicles, with deductibles of $2,500 for vehicles and $5,000 for other claims. Short stated there is no personal property of value in the building.
Clerk Melissa Schaar clarified insurance claim checks go to the commissioners as policyholders but are deposited into the appropriate fund.
Commissioners approved the motion to allow SWCD to join the county’s CORSA policy.
In other business, commissioners:
—APPROVED permits for the use of the following county highway rights of way as recommended by the county engineer: Carroll Electric Cooperative to build a three-phase power line to a well pad in Section 18 of Brown Township, on Citrus Road (CR 68) and Bluebird Road (CR 34); Shiloh Neice for temporary traffic control in Section 31 of East Township, on Arbor Road (CR 14); Spectrum Cable to run new underground fiber in Sections 1 and 18 of Brown Township, on Citrus Road (CR 68).
—HELD executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee at the request of Transit Director Sonja Trbovich. The session included Trbovich and began at 9:20 a.m. and reconvened at 9:48 a.m. No action was taken.
—HEARD there is an oral rabies vaccine bait drop currently underway in Carroll County to prevent rabies in wild raccoons. Residents should not touch the baits. If found near children or pets, wear gloves to move or dispose of them safely and wash your hands. Pets are safe if they eat a bait but may have an upset stomach or vomiting if they eat multiple.
—HEARD Commissioner Robert Wirkner tell the board plans are being made for this year’s emergency services appreciation ceremony. Templates are being developed for the challenge coin. Wirkner reminded residents it is paid for exclusively by donations from private entities and by no money from county residents. Anyone wishing to contribute to these coins for law enforcement and first responders may contact Wirkner at the commissioner’s office.
—PAID bills of $38,363.83.
