Elaine Georgas , Director of the Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services says the agency is so busy, addicts are dying on waiting lists to get treatment.
The agency helps 2,000 people a year, but estimates 20,000 people need help throughout Lorain County.
"Our hope is to help more people quickly, get them into treatment as soon as they need help,” Georgas said.
Georges said Levy 35 would help save lives, because the agency could use the money to hire more counselors, social workers, to get addicts into treatment.
Addiction counselors could do more school based education and support family members whose loved one is addicted.
Helping addicts could also reduce crime as addicts steal to feed their habit.
The five year 1.2 mill levy would generate $7.8 million.
Costing the owner of a hundred thousand dollar home $42 a year.
The levy would also help the agency create a detox program which it does not have.
The agency which started in 1989 has never asked for a levy to help with drug and alcohol related services.
