LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Opioid addiction has become a public health emergency that requires additional funding from the state and federal governments, according to a resolution passed by Lakewood City Council Monday.

City Councilwoman Cindy Marx, who introduced the legislation, said the city has tried to address the issue but hasn't solved the problem.

"We have facilitated several community discussions, but we need to do much more," Marx said. "We have supported private investment in rehabilitation beds in our city, but are still facing a critical shortage of these beds. We commit more resources to cutting of the supply of these drugs than any other suburb in our region, but need to do more. We have applied and appealed for support from federal and state agencies, but need to do more. By all reasonable standards, we are losing ground."

In 2016, Lakewood police and firefighters responded to 251 overdose calls, and 28 people died from heroin overdoses, according to city officials. In Cuyahoga County, the number of deaths from heroin and fentanyl use has increased from 198 in 2013 to 517 in 2016.

City officials cited a study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation that found Ohio was leading the nation in opioid deaths.

"This is so important for our city," Councilman John Litten said. "Lakewood has a lot of things going for it, but this is one area where we have large numbers in the wrong direction, and we need to do more."

City Council President Sam O'Leary said he favored anything that could address the growing problem, noting the city has trouble keeping enough kits of naloxone on hand to treat the heroin overdoses police officers and firefighters encounter. Police have told council that because drugs on the street are becoming more potent, officers frequently need to administer multiple doses of naloxone to revive someone who has overdosed.

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers, who joined those supporting the resolution, said Lakewood is not alone in facing what he called an opioid crisis. Opioid addiction, especially to heroin and fentanyl, are rampant throughout Ohio, he said. In fact, it is worse in some rural areas.

"We need the governor to step up and acknowledge the depth and persistence of this crisis," Summers said. Nobody is using the word crisis, and it is. It is spreading. Its impact on families is immeasurable."

Summers said Cleveland is considering a similar resolution to Lakewood's.

"The two of us will start what I hope is a very strong message that we need to take even broader action across the region," he said.

Councilman Dan O'Malley said he would like to see more money in the state budget to combat opioid addiction.

"Hopefully, this will add to the voice that more needs to be done," O'Malley said.

Marx said she and Human Services Director Toni Gelsomino would attend an Ohio attorney general's forum on opioid addiction later this month in Columbus and report back to council on what was discussed.

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