There is a saying that ‘it takes a village’ that references raising children. However, this adage can certainly take on many forms, and this is true for the opioid addiction that continues to mare our region.

Thursday, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a bill that brings meaningful measures to help fight this epidemic.

In 2014, Ohio ranked number one in the country in deaths relating to opioid overdoses, and we have seen far too many instances of the hold the drug problem has on so many residents in the region.

Ohio S.B. 319 has a multi-pronged approach that enhances the use of antidote drugs for overdoses, requires pharmacy technicians to register with the state and regulates various clinics.

The new law makes those anti-overdose drugs available to schools, halfway houses, treatment centers and shelters.

Pharmacy technicians accounted for about 33 percent of cases of thefts of medications in the last three years.

In 2015, Ohio saw 3,050 deaths relating to overdoses compared to 1,020 in 2005, and Lawrence County saw 22 deaths per 100,000 population.

We all know that drug addiction is a serious epidemic that has a strangle on our communities, and this new law will add helpful resources to combat and join the fight against these addictions.

New measures and continued legislation can be helpful in lessening the hold, but it will truly take the entire village if we are going to see any type of results.