Wright County Attorney Tom Kelly plans to run for re-election this November.
Kelly is focusing his campaign on his 34 years of experience as the county’s chief prosecutor, in addition to his focuses on a team-effort approach to the prosecution of the county’s crimes.
"One of the biggest issues were are facing in this county is the opioid crisis," Kelly said.
Eight Wright County residents died from opioid overdoses last year, and three more have died so far this year, Kelly said. Two opioid-users were saved in 2018 with the drug Naloxone, an inhalant commonly known as Narcan, used to reverse the fatal effects of opioid overdoses.
"Addressing the opioid crisis is not solvable through arrest and prosecution alone," Kelly said. "We need an approach that addresses prevention, education and treatment."
Wright County will join dozens of other counties and districts across the state and country in a civil lawsuit against opioid manufacturers. The lawsuit, much like the tobacco lawsuits in the 1990s, will likely take many years to litigate.
Kelly recently gave a presentation to area schools concerning the opioid crisis. In his notes, he mentions that Wright County was ranked eighth in a 2016 ranking of highest number of opioid prescriptions by the Prescription Monitoring Program.
Wright County has a specialty court that focuses adult drug use. The Turn, as the court is called, is about to have its first anniversary, and will have three graduates of the program later this month.
"These people are getting their life back in order and being reunited with their children," Kelly said. "We’re making them productive members of society again, rather than going through the revolving door of addiction and crime."
In addition to his work on opioids, Kelly prides himself on being an active member throughout Wright County communities, and serves on several boards, serving posts such as President of the Wright County Law Library Board, President of MEADA (Methamphetamine Education and Drug Awareness), member of the Wright County Criminal Justice Committee and Director on the Board for Safe Communities.
"I believe I possess the common sense, dedication and experience to continue leading the Wright County Attorney’s Office into the 21st Century," said Kelly in a statement.