Rep. Osborne appointed to minimize Yuma County’s opioid crisis at national level

CBS 13's April Hettinger investigates the steady increase in opioid overdoses

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Rep. Joanne Osborne was selected to serve as an Opioid Policy Fellow, a national effort to control the opioid addiction crisis.

This is through the National Conference of State Legislatures.

But, it doesn't stop there. Yuma County is dealing with its own fight against opioid overdoses.

"In 2020, Yuma County saw 61 opioid-suspected deaths within the Yuma County area," said Lt. Samuel Pavlak, a deputy with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO). "So far, this year for 2021, we've had 16 suspected opioid deaths."

CEO of Crossroads Mission, Myra Garlit, can attest to the increase.

"We're seeing about 50% of all of our intakes are opiate-addicted or opiate misuse," Garlit stated.

To address the problem, Rep. Osborne released a statement saying in part:

"As a state representative, as a mother, and as an Opioid Policy Fellow, I am absolutely determined with finding effective strategies to reduce addiction, prevent overdoses and deaths, and to raise more awareness about this devastating epidemic impacting our families and communities.”

Rer. Joanne Osborne, (R) AZ House - District 13

When a patient is still in pain, they'll take another pill, and another, and another.

But then it either stops working or they run out.

"We start seeing people potentially turn to illegal drugs, illegal opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, things of that nature," Lt. Pavlak explained.

And can lead to criminal activity.

"That criminal activity goes back to additional burglaries, thefts, assaults which all again comes back to law enforcement where that takes up time in calls," Lt. Pavlak said.

Or affect relationships at home.

"Even picking fights to leave the house. I've seen all of those things happen, and it's just so they can get more pills," Garlet explained.

Admitting that you are addicted is the first step in getting help, and there are places in Yuma County where you can go for help.

"We have a stabilization unit. It's 10 days," Garlet said. "They see a prescriber with us for a physical."

Rep. Osborne will continue to support organizations like the Crossroads Mission and YCSO as the county battles this crisis.