Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE SUPPORTS DRUG FREE MUSKINGUM AT OVERDOSE AWARENESS EVENT
(ZANESVILLE, Ohio) — The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office and its Diversion and Rehabilitation Treatment program, known as DART, joined local organizations and community members at the 2026 Overdose Awareness Day event held August 31 at Zane’s Landing.
The event, “Knot Alone: United in Purpose,” brought together families, service providers, and more than 20 community partners to remember lives lost to overdose, support those affected by substance use, and connect residents with prevention, treatment, and recovery resources.
The event was presented with support from Drug Free Muskingum, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.
Members of the Prosecutor’s Office and DART staff spoke with attendees about the office’s diversion efforts and the role that treatment, accountability, and community support can play in addressing substance-use-related crime.
“Overdose awareness reminds us that drug abuse affects individuals, families, and our entire community,” Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said.
“Our approach has to recognize an important distinction. We will aggressively prosecute the people who bring fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs into Muskingum County for profit. At the same time, when an appropriate nonviolent offender is struggling with substance use and is genuinely ready to change, programs like DART can provide an opportunity for treatment while still requiring accountability.”
Welch said community partnerships are an important part of addressing both overdose and substance-use-related crime.
“Law enforcement and prosecution cannot address this problem alone. We appreciate Drug Free Muskingum and the many local organizations working every day to prevent overdose, educate families, support recovery, and connect people with help.”
DART provides eligible individuals facing nonviolent, substance-use-related charges with an alternative to traditional prosecution.
Participation is not simply a dismissal of criminal charges. Individuals accepted into the program must comply with program requirements while engaging with treatment and other resources designed to address the circumstances contributing to their involvement in the criminal justice system.
The goal is to combine accountability with an opportunity to address substance-use issues before they result in additional criminal behavior, further victimization, or continued involvement in the justice system.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office thanks Drug Free Muskingum and its community partners for organizing the event and for their continued commitment to overdose prevention, education, treatment, and recovery.
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