Members of Fort Wayne City Council have signed a bipartisan letter to the Department of Planning Services for zoning recommendations related to inpatient and outpatient facilities to combat local drug abuse and addiction.
The letter was drafted by 2nd District councilman Russ Jehl. He says talks to bring more care facilities to Fort Wayne became stagnant 18 months ago, and that City Council has been too “reactive” to addiction problems within the community, calling for more comprehensive treatment options.
“Something must be done to further define a policy on where these special types of medical facilities can go in our community, making sure we have the proper spaces for people to recover and rejoin productive society," Jehl said, reading the letter aloud. "We need guidance on where both the inpatient and outpatient medical facilities related to opioid abuse can be located.”
In 2018, the Fort Wayne Police Department seized record amounts of heroin, meth and marijuana, with an increase in crack cocaine. The opioid epidemic is considered a main trigger for the increase in drug use around the region, and the nation as a whole.
Democratic 6th District councilman Glynn Hines confirmed that he also signed the letter. Jehl says the letter will be mailed on Friday.
