CHILLICOTHE, OH — The Ross County Jail will receive nearly $250,000 in new state funding to expand addiction treatment and recovery programs for inmates, as part of a third round of grants announced this week by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
The funding, totaling $2 million statewide, was awarded to 11 counties, including Ross, through Yost’s Opioid Remediation Grant Program. The initiative aims to help county jails provide effective treatment for inmates struggling with substance use disorders — a critical step in reducing overdose deaths and recidivism across Ohio.
Since the program launched in March, Yost’s office has awarded more than $5.6 million to support addiction treatment in 37 county jails.
“These grants are supplying the tools and support for addicted inmates to overcome withdrawal, get clean and improve their lives upon release,” Yost said. “My thanks to Ohio’s sheriffs for showing that recovery is always within reach.”
Ross County Sheriff George Lavender Jr. said his office will use its $248,500 grant to contract with the Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center, providing full-time mental health and addiction treatment services inside the jail.
“I am appreciative of the collaboration with Attorney General Yost and for the receipt of this grant funding,” Sheriff Lavender said. “This money will provide the needed medication-assisted treatment for inmates at the jail and after their release, helping to reduce recidivism.”
Yost’s program is part of a broader $60 million initiative funded through opioid settlement money, which will be distributed over the next several years. County jails can receive up to $200,000 per year to hire or contract with addiction-service professionals, or $50,000 for medications and supplies used during detox and withdrawal treatment.
Ross County joins other recipients in this round, including Butler, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Mercer, Paulding, Pike, Stark, Tuscarawas, Van Wert, and Wayne counties.
The grants come as jails across Ohio face rising challenges related to substance use. According to a USA Today report, overdose remains one of the leading causes of inmate deaths in the state, with at least 70 fatalities since 2020.
Applications for the next round of funding are open through December 1.
