MINOT, ND (KXNET) — On Thursday, the Ward County Sheriff's Department honored one of their own for making the Minot community safer through drug prevention efforts. Major Paul Olthoff was awarded for his work in creating and implementing the medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) program.

The MOUD program is meant to improve the care and treatment of people affected by opioids, and help former users through withdrawal symptoms.

Throughout the ceremony, Olthoff was consistently praised for his passion and dedication to making Ward County a safer and healthier place.

"In the community, I'd say those people we induced, that's a big number," Olthoff said. "65% are still on an MOUD program. We're seeing that once they get out of the facility, they're continuing, and that just gives them a

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