REMINDER: DRUG DEATHS HAVE SOARED UNDER MIKE DEWINE’S WATCH, ESPECIALLY AFTER HE SHUT DOWN OHIO

Cleveland, OH – As Mike DeWine touts his disingenuous trip to the border to discuss combating the drug crisis, it is important to remember that drug deaths in Ohio have soared since he took office. According to media reports and government data, in just 2020 alone “at least 5,215 Ohioans fatally overdosed on drugs last year according to new government data, a nearly 22% increase over 2019 numbers.” 

The report continues: “The 2020 data reverses what was a promising trend of decreasing overdose rates in Ohio that began in late 2017. However, a muted uptick began in late 2019 before surging as the pandemic started, bringing Ohio nearly back to 2017 levels.” 

“During the pandemic, DeWine shut Ohio down completely which killed jobs, sent businesses fleeing, and trafficked in misery throughout the state,” Jim Renacci said. “Now DeWine wants to cover up his mistakes by going on a public relations tour of the border for photo opportunities. If he was actually concerned about Ohioans, he would put the people of this state first for once.”