Court report: COVID affects drug addiction and deaths in Tuscarawas County

UHRICHSVILLE — COVID-19 is doing more than causing death and disease from its own infections. It's also causing more bad outcomes from drug abuse, according to Judge Brad L. Hillyer of the Southern District of Tuscarawas County Court.

"COVID-19 has continued to have a tremendous impact on the drug addiction and drug deaths in Tuscarawas County," Hillyer wrote in the court's annual report about 2021. 

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There are multiple ways in which the pandemic could negatively affect people recovering from substance abuse disorders, according to Seana Fortune, director of recovery services for OhioGuidestone in New Philadelphia.

Lockdowns and isolation meant to slow the person-to-person transmission of the virus can have negative effects, she said.

How does the pandemic make addiction recovery harder?

"If you could picture someone who maybe has another disease, like diabetes or heart problems or cancer, and they were unable to get into their treatment, or to see their treatment provider, you would automatically assume that they're going to get sicker because they cannot access their medicine or their treatment," Fortune said. "It is no different with people who are in recovery, trying to recover from drugs and alcohol. It hit them just the same."

COVID may have prevented recovering addicts from accessing counseling, case management and peer support, she said.

"A lot of times people who are struggling with addiction, or are in recovery, especially early recovery, they're battling mental health issues as well," said Fortune

Isolation can exacerbate their symptoms, which may include depression and anxiety, which could be amplified by uncertainty about the virus, she said. 

"They avoid all the positive things in their life to avoid potentially getting sick," she said. 

They may not be able to gather with the family members and friends who can be a comfort on bad days, according to Fortune, who previously worked as the re-entry coordinator at the sheriff's office. 

In his report about 2020 court operations, Hillyer also wrote that COVID-19 had a "tremendous impact on the drug addiction and drug deaths in Tuscarawas County." Because of pandemic-related restrictions put in place at the county jail, "many people with drug addiction were able to avoid detection, and subsequently we have had many drug related deaths in (the) Tuscarawas County area," he wrote in the report released in 2021.

Hillyer wrote in his report about 2021 that substance abuse treatment remains a problem for court systems in Tuscarawas County, which does not have a dedicated treatment facility for men.

"Methamphetamine remains a prominent issue in the county and it appears to be laced with Fentanyl and other drugs which are causing the deaths. Methamphetamine currently does not have an effective treatment at this time," Hillyer wrote. "Hopefully we will put the COVID-19 in the rearview mirror in the coming months and continue our mission to assist our citizens who are afflicted with drug problems."

South court, by the numbers 

His report included these statistics and comments about court activities:

• The court saw a slight increase in the filing of new cases in 2021. The total number of cases filed for the year was 2,403. That included 535 criminal cases, 1,868 traffic cases and 434 civil cases. This represents an increase of 84 cases from the 2020 filings. 

• Seventy-six new cases for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other drugs were filed with the court in 2021, which represented an increase of three cases from 2021.

• The court saw an increase in the amount of not guilty pleas entered to OVI charges, as 63 of the 76 entered not guilty pleas. This accounts for 82.9% percent of these cases, which is higher than in 2020.

• In comparison, only 70.1% of those issued criminal citations entered not guilty pleas in 2021, also an increase from the previous year.

• Time limits set by the Ohio Supreme Court for the efficient resolution of cases were substantially met, as 32 cases, or 8.7%, remained unresolved beyond the recommended guideline as of the end of the year. This is higher than most years, but attendance was an issue and the court tried to not issue warrants whenever possible. This led to some cases taking longer to resolve than normal.

• The court collected $142,572 in online payments in 2021, an increase from the 2020 total.

• Total receipts by the court increased in 2021, totaling $610,703. This is not as high as pre-pandemic levels.

• The court disbursed $118,723 to the state in 2021, an increase from 2020.

• The total amount disbursed to Tuscarawas County in 2021 was $278,797, an increase from 2020.

• The court collected and disbursed civil judgments in the amount of $176,484 in 2021.

• The court collected and disbursed restitution payments arising out of criminal cases in the amount of $6,080 in 2021. 

• Probationers in the court’s community service program completed 5,960 hours of community service in 2021. This program benefits the community and gives probationers an alternative to jail and the ability to participate in a positive activity. They pick up trash, shovel snow, mow grass, paint and rake leaves in the area, help local schools and other community organizations.

• Community service projects completed in the past year include upgrades to the set-up and cleanup of the Polar Express, cleanup and maintenance work at Schoenbrunn Village, providing significant hours to the Harcatus Soup Kitchen, maintaining the local baseball and softball fields and trash pickup in Dennison, Uhrichsville, Gnadenhutten, Port Washington and Newcomerstown.

Hillyer's report also noted the retirement of Melissa Dillehay from the position of clerk of court after 31 years of service to the county's justice system.

"The Court thanks Missi for her service and she will be missed," Hillyer wrote. "Missi is enjoying retirement and looks forward to spending more time with her dogs and grandson."

She has been replaced by Rebecca Vermillion.