Opioid Epidemic Category

Category: Opioid Epidemic

Showing Respect for Victims of Addiction

We must destigmatize opioid use disorder and its treatment. I respect the parents who have told the stories of their children who have died from drug overdose!

22 Young Victims Of Addiction And The Honest Obituaries That Tell Of Their Deaths

Posted on 27 Sep 2017, 15:45 - Category: Opioid Epidemic

Turning Grief Into Action

Recently, the Pennsbury school board approved a $149,000 one-year agreement with the Richard J. Caron Foundation to provide drug counseling and other services to district schools. This was after Pennsbury school board president Jacuelyn Redner spoke out in a public meeting about her 28-year-old son Joshua - a 2007 Pennsbury High School garduate - who died of a heroin overdose.

Rembrance rocks placed
around tree at Steps
to Recovery in Levittown

This is exactly what Tony Luke Jr., of Philly cheesesteak fame, who lost his son to heroin overdose, wants more people to do. He started the #BrownandWhite initiative to help end the stigma and shame associated with addiction.

He encourages people to honor those who have died of a drug overdose to post their stories on Twitter using the #BrownandWhite hash tag.

In observance of Drug Overdose Day, I attended the “Night to Remember” ceremony hosted by Steps to Recovery on Veterans Highway in Levittown, PA. Tony Luke was a speaker at that event. Read more about that here.

Posted on 21 Sep 2017, 12:52 - Category: Opioid Epidemic

In Observance of International Overdose Day

Last night I attended the “Night to Remember” ceremony hosted by Steps to Recovery on Veterans Highway in Levittown, PA. Tony Luke Jr., of Philly cheesesteak fame, was the main speaker. He lost his son to heroin overdose in March and started the #BrownandWhite initiative to help end the Stigma and shame associated with addiction. You can see his presentation on my FaceBook page here.

I met Tony Luke and suggested that he visit Newtown soon.

After his speech, Tony led a ceremony where attendees wrote the names of their lost ones on river stones and placed them around a newly-planted tree to create a monument of remembrance.

Listen to Tony's PSA:

Posted on 31 Aug 2017, 12:47 - Category: Opioid Epidemic

Pennsylvania's Treasurer Says Big Pharma Must be Held Accountable for Its Role in Opioid Crisis

Posted on 28 Aug 2017, 12:08 - Category: Opioid Epidemic

John Mack Proposes 24/7 Drug Drop-Off Box for Newtown

[Comments made before the Newtown Board of Supervisors on August, 9, 2017.]

At the April 12, 2017, Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting, police Chief Henry Pasqualini informed the Board that drug abuse is a problem “right here in Newtown.”

As my colleagues Phil Calabro and Linda Bobrin and I campaign throughout Newtown, we are meeting more and more people who tell us that the opioid drug crisis is the most important issue facing our community.

More than 50% of respondents to my online survey say that "Prescription & Illegal Drug Abuse" is "very important" and an additional 32% say it is "somewhat important".

As Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick points out, 70% of people who abuse prescription opioids get them from their friends or family.

Safely disposing of unused and expired prescription medicines, therefore, is important to keeping them out of the wrong hands. Drug drop-off boxes can help achieve that.

A drug drop-off box similar to this one
is avaliable at the Newtown Twp police
station only between the hours of
8:00 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays!

That is why I am here to request that the Newtown Board of Supervisors do more to alleviate this problem by implementing a 24/7 drug drop-off box. Currently, the drop-off box is located within the police station and is available only between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays when most people are at work.

"Drug-Free Newtown" Committee

I further propose that the Board establish a non-partisan “Drug Free Newtown” committee and appoint knowledgeable volunteers from the community to serve on it. The committee should be tasked with recommending other solutions and spearheading a drive to solicit donations from local businesses such as KVK Tech, which is a major producer of generic opioid drugs (see here).

I know that businesses have helped to fund other initiatives and community events in our area including Fourth of July fireworks and flower displays along Sycamore Street. I am sure that these and other businesses would be willing to fund educational events about opioid abuse and other activities that the Board may recommend based on input from the committee that I propose.

I look forward to working with the Board when it decides to move forward to deal with this crisis.

Posted on 11 Aug 2017, 01:53 - Category: Opioid Epidemic

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