Center for Rural Pennsylvania Releases
Report on Growing Heroin Epidemic
HARRISBURG - The Center for Rural Pennsylvania today released a report summarizing the findings of four statewide hearings held to examine the growing numbers of heroin and opioid related deaths and arrests across Pennsylvania. Two of the findings highlighted support for legislation currently under consideration in the General Assembly: one bill that would provide immunity to an individual who contacts authorities in the event of a drug overdose and a second that would expand the types of drugs monitored under the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
The report lists additional items for consideration that were addressed by the more than 50 presenters, who included law enforcement officials, health care providers and family members who lost loved ones to heroin and other opioids. These items focused on the areas of education and prevention, law enforcement, and treatment.
"This epidemic affects individuals of every age, gender, race, and background," said Senator Gene Yaw, Center board chairman. "The increased use of heroin, which often has roots in the abuse of prescription painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin, has catapulted Pennsylvania to seventh in the nation for drug-related overdose deaths in the latest federal statistics."
"Right now we have a public health crisis facing rural Pennsylvania," Senator Yaw said. "Although our focus was specifically on heroin use in rural Pennsylvania, we know addiction has no municipal, county, or state boundaries. It is, across the board, a statewide and national epidemic impacting residents of every age, race, gender and socioeconomic background. Simply locking people behind bars is not the answer. We, as a state, need to do more."
Over a two-month period, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, consisting of members of the House of Representatives, Senate, Governor appointees and academia, joined legislators from across the state for the hearings. The hearing sites were selected to achieve geographic representation and perspectives reflecting the diversity of Pennsylvania.
Legislative action was urged by those who testified. Legislation mentioned included Senate Bill 1164, which would provide immunity to an individual who contacted authorities in the event of a drug overdose. To further strengthen this proposal, an amendment was offered to expand the accessibility of the opioid antidote drug, naloxone also known by the trade name Narcan. With this amendment, naloxone would be available to first responders such as law enforcement or fire department personnel. Health care professionals would also be able to provide a prescription for naloxone to persons at-risk of an overdose, family members, or an individual who may be in the position to assist a person who is suffering an overdose.
The hearings also identified the need to improve the state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (Senate Bill 1180/House Bill 1694) to expand the types of drugs monitored under the existing system. Currently, data are collected for Level II controlled substances.
Three primary themes repeatedly mentioned during the hearings included: educating individuals to the dangers of opioid abuse; increasing the accessibility and availability for those seeking treatment; and providing law enforcement with the tools to help eradicate heroin from our communities.
The report is available on the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's website, as well as links to the testimony from the public hearings.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It was created in 1987 under Act 16, the Rural Revitalization Act, to promote and sustain the vitality of Pennsylvania's rural and small communities.
Center for Rural Pennsylvania slated to release
report on Pennsylvania's heroin epidemic
HARRISBURG - The Center for Rural Pennsylvania will release its report on the heroin crisis facing Pennsylvania at a press conference on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in Harrisburg.
The report reflects the issues addressed, and the recommendations made, by more than 50 presenters at four statewide hearings held during the summer months and totaling over 15 hours of testimony. Those testifying included educators, students, elected officials, law enforcement officials, medical and health care professionals, treatment providers, and family members who have lost loved ones.
In addition to identifying specific legislative actions recommended by those testifying, the report identifies nearly 20 issues requiring additional evaluation, research and action.
State Senator Gene Yaw, who represents Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties, serves as the Center's Chairman. "Heroin and opioid abuse has no geographical boundaries," Yaw said. "This is an epidemic affecting individuals of every age, gender, race, and background across the state."
Contact
Barry Denk, Director
Center for Rural Pennsylvania
717.787.9555
info@rural.palegislature.us
Public Hearing on Heroin Crisis Facing Pennsylvania
Center Board Chairman Senator Gene Yaw and Board Member Dr. Karen Whitney, Clarion University president, welcomed presenters and attendees to the last of four public hearings on the heroin crisis in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 19. Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, state and local officials, health care and treatment professionals, and law enforcement presented testimony at the hearing and provided information and insights on the growing heroin epidemic in Pennsylvania.
Center Board Chairman Senator Gene Yaw (center) and board members welcome presenters and guests to the hearing. Pictured left to right: Dr. Nancy Falvo; Representative Garth Everett; Center Director Barry Denk; Senator Yaw; Senator John Wozniak; Dr. Karen Whitney; Representative Rick Mirabito; Dr. Ted Alter; and Dr. Stephan Goetz.
Representative Lee James, Representative Donna Oberlander, Senator Scott Hutchinson, Dr. Nancy Falvo, Representative Garth Everett; Barry Denk; Senator Gene Yaw; Senator John Wozniak; Dr. Karen Whitney; Representative Rick Mirabito; Dr. Ted Alter; and Dr. Stephan Goetz.
Left to right: Sheriff Robert Fyock, president of the Pennsylvania Sheriff's Association, and Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron present their testimony.
Alice Bell, Overdose Prevention Project coordinator, Prevention Point Pittsburgh.
Dr. Jan Pringle, project director, Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, University of Pittsburgh.
Holly Livingston, community outreach coordinator, Gateway Rehab, and Dr. James Schuster, chief medical officer, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization.
Mike Krafick, certified recovery specialist and Kami Anderson, executive director, Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission.
Dave Cippel, Klingensmith's Drug Stores, Inc., and president, Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association.
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Gary Tennis.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane.
Heroin: Combating this Growing Epidemic in Rural Pennsylvania
View Agenda
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania has announced the fourth and final public hearing to be held across Pennsylvania to solicit testimony on the increased use of heroin and other opioids. Information from the hearing can be used to develop legislative policies that may help to curb the use of these dangerous narcotics impacting rural Pennsylvania, according to state Senator Gene Yaw (R-23), Chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's Board of Directors. The hearing is being co-hosted by Clarion University President Dr. Karen Whitney, Center board member.
In Pennsylvania, the number of fatal heroin overdoses has been increasing. According to a 2014 report from the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, there were 45 reported heroin deaths in 2009 and 124 reported heroin deaths by mid-2013. Although the Center's focus is on heroin use in rural Pennsylvania, addiction has no municipal, county, or state boundaries. It is, across the board, a national epidemic impacting residents of every age, race, gender and socioeconomic background.
More information is available on The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's website, Facebook, or Senator Yaw's website, Facebook, and Twitter.
The statewide hearings sponsored by the Center will focus on the issues surrounding the need for effective treatment and recovery services, which includes the increased use of naloxone to save lives.
For more information please contact Barry Denk.
Public Hearing on Heroin Crisis Facing Pennsylvania
Center Board Chairman Senator Gene Yaw and Vice Chairman Senator John Wozniak welcomed presenters and attendees to the third of four public hearings on the heroin crisis in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, August 5. State and local officials as well as educators, health care professionals, law enforcement and public advocates presented testimony at the hearing and provided information and insights on the growing heroin epidemic in Pennsylvania.
Pictured left to right: Center Director Barry Denk; Board Secretary Dr. Nancy Falvo; Board Chairman Senator Gene Yaw; Board Vice Chairman Senator John Wozniak; Board Member Representative Rick Mirabito; Representative Tommy Sankey; and Representative Frank Burns.
St. Francis University Provost Dr. Wayne Powel welcomed the Center board, members of the General Assembly and guests to the university.
Left to right: Geoffrey Kolchin, program analyst with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and Dr. Frank Montecalvo, vice president for Student Development at St. Francis University.
David Ellis, regional director of the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, Office of the Attorney General.
Dr. Robert Orth, consultant with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Lisa Davis, executive director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health.
Susan Kelly, facilitator with Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing (GRASP).
Left to right: Dr. Matthew Bouchard, director of Emergency Medicine with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Altoona and Bedford; Scott Moyer, program director at Discovery House; and Judy Rosser, executive director of Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnerships.
Left to right: Gary Martin, president of Cambria County Crime Stoppers, and Kevin Price, detective, Cambria County Office of the District Attorney.
Left to right: Representative Bryan Barbin; Barry Denk; Dr. Nancy Falvo; Senator Gene Yaw; Senator John Wozniak; and Representative Rick Mirabito.
Heroin: Combating this Growing Epidemic in Rural Pennsylvania
View Agenda
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania has announced the third of four public hearings to be held across Pennsylvania to solicit testimony on the increased use of heroin and other opioids. Information from the hearings can be used to develop legislative policies that may help to curb the use of these dangerous narcotics impacting rural Pennsylvania, according to state Senator Gene Yaw (R-23), Chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's Board of Directors. Click here for a Preview of the upcoming hearing, co-hosted by Senator John Wozniak (D-35), Center Board Vice Chairman.
In Pennsylvania, the number of fatal heroin overdoses has been increasing. According to a 2014 report from the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, there were 45 reported heroin deaths in 2009 and 124 reported heroin deaths by mid-2013. Although the Center's focus is on heroin use in rural Pennsylvania, addiction has no municipal, county, or state boundaries. It is, across the board, a national epidemic impacting residents of every age, race, gender and socioeconomic background.
More information is available on The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's website, Facebook, or Senator Yaw's website, Facebook, and Twitter.
For more information please contact The Center for Rural Pennsylvania at 717.787.9555 or email us at info@rural.palegislature.us
Public Hearing on Heroin Crisis Facing Pennsylvania
Center Board Chairman Senator Gene Yaw and Vice Chairman Senator John Wozniak welcomed presenters and attendees to the second of four public hearings on the heroin crisis in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, July 22. Senator Judy Schwank cohosted the hearing. State and local officials as well as educators, health care professionals, business representatives and public advocates presented testimony at the hearing and provided information and insights on the growing heroin epidemic in Pennsylvania.
Pictured left to right: Board Vice Chairman Senator John Wozniak, Board Chairman Senator Gene Yaw, and Senator Judy Schwank welcome presenters and guests to the public hearing.
Left to right: Senator Mike Folmer, Senator John Wozniak, Senator Gene Yaw, Senator Scott Wagner and Center Director Barry Denk.
Left to right: Deborah Beck, president, Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Gary Tennis.
Left to right: George Vogel, executive director, Council on Chemical Abuse; Linda Texter, director, Reading Hospital Drug and Alcohol Center; and Phil Bauer, parent and advocate for prescription drug safety.
Left to right: Dr. Gregory Sorensen, chief medical officer, Reading Health System; Alison Snyder, personnel director, East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc.; Andrew Potteiger, superintendent, Brandywine Heights Area School District; Sandy Green, mayor, Kutztown Borough; and Christine Gilfillan, associate director, Berks Women in Crisis.
Left to right: Representative Jerry Knowles, Senator Mike Folmer, Senator John Wozniak, Senator Gene Yaw and Senator Judy Schwank.
Left to right: Dean Patton, magisterial district judge, Berks County; Scott D. Keller, judge, Court of Common Pleas, Berks County; Christine A. Holman, district attorney, Schuylkill County; Michael J. Gombar, chief county detective, Berks County; and John T. Adams, district attorney, Berks County.
Heroin: Combating this Growing Epidemic in Rural Pennsylvania
View Agenda
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania has announced the second of four public hearings to be held across Pennsylvania to solicit testimony on the increased use of heroin and other opioids. Information from the hearings can be used to develop legislative policies that may help to curb the use of these dangerous narcotics impacting rural Pennsylvania, according to state Senator Gene Yaw (R-23), Chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's Board of Directors. Click here for a preview of the upcoming hearing, co-hosted by Senator John Wozniak (D-35), Center Board Vice Chairman.
In Pennsylvania, the number of fatal heroin overdoses has been increasing. According to a 2014 report from the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, there were 45 reported heroin deaths in 2009 and 124 reported heroin deaths by mid-2013. Although the Center's focus is on heroin use in rural Pennsylvania, addiction has no municipal, county, or state boundaries. It is, across the board, a national epidemic impacting residents of every age, race, gender and socioeconomic background.
More information is available on The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's website, Facebook, or Senator Yaw's website, Facebook, and Twitter.
For more information please contact The Center for Rural Pennsylvania at 717.787.9555 or email us at info@rural.palegislature.us
Public Hearing on Heroin Crisis Facing Pennsylvania
Center board members welcomed presenters and attendees to the first of four public hearings on the heroin crisis in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, July 9. State and local officials as well as educators, health care professionals, business representatives and students presented testimony at the five-hour plus hearing and provided information and insights on the growing heroin epidemic.
Pictured left to right: Dr. Ted Alter, board member; Rep. Fred Keller; Rep. Garth Everett, board treasurer; Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman; and Rep. Rick Mirabito, board member.
Left to right: Bradford Co. District Attorney Dan Barrett; Lycoming Co. President Judge Nancy Butts; and Lycoming Co. District Attorney Eric Linhardt.
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Robert Mann and Williamsport Police Capt. Michael Orwig present their testimony.
Bradford Co. Prison Warden Don Stewart and Lycoming Co. Prison Warden Kevin DeParlos. - at Williamsport, PA.
Dr. David Talenti of Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital.
Pictured left to right: Dr. John "Jack" Devine of Evangelical Community Hospital; Dr. Rene Rigal of Susquehanna Health Pain Management Center; and Lycoming Co. Coroner Chuck Kiessling.
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Gary Tennis and George Rutherford, director of operations at White Deer Run.
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President Gene Barr and Lycoming Co. Chamber of Commerce President Vince Matteo.
Fred Wells Brason, II, founder of Project Lazarus.
Pictured left to right: Donna George, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education AOD Coordinator; Dr. Tim Susick, associate vice president of California University of Pennsylvania; Natalie Lamoreaux, former SADD secretary, Muncy Area High School; and Crystal Good, former SADD President, Muncy Area High School.
Heroin: Combating this Growing Epidemic in Rural Pennsylvania
View Agenda
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania has announced the third of four public hearings to be held across Pennsylvania to solicit testimony on the increased use of heroin and other opioids. Information from the hearings will be used to develop legislative policies that may help to curb the use of these dangerous narcotics impacting rural Pennsylvania, according to state Senator Gene Yaw (R-23), Chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's Board of Directors. Click here for a Preview.
Right now we have a public health crisis facing rural Pennsylvania. Although the Center's focus is on heroin use in rural Pennsylvania, addiction has no municipal, county, or state boundaries. It is, across the board, a national epidemic impacting residents of every age, race, gender and socioeconomic background. In Pennsylvania, the number of fatal heroin overdoses has been increasing. According to a 2014 report from the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, there were 45 reported heroin deaths in 2009 and 124 reported heroin deaths by mid-2013.
More information is available on The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's website, Facebook, or Senator Yaw's website, Facebook, and Twitter.
For more information please contact Barry Denk or email us at info@rural.palegislature.us
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania has scheduled four public hearings to examine and discuss current policies and practices related to heroin and opioid addiction, including prevention, treatment and law enforcement efforts. The hearing dates/locations/times are:
View Agenda
View Testimony
View Agenda
View Testimony
View Agenda
View Testimony
View Agenda
View Testimony
A diverse group of organizations and individuals has been invited to testify at the hearings. Others interested in submitting written comments or testimony should mail or email them to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 625 Forster St., Room 902, Harrisburg, PA 17120 or caldarac@rural.palegislature.us, or submit them to Center staff at any of the hearings.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania announces hearings to
discuss options to curb surge in heroin use
HARRISBURG - State Senator Gene Yaw, chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's Board of Directors, announces three public hearings to be held across Pennsylvania to solicit testimony on the increased use of heroin and other opioids. Information from the hearings will be used to develop legislative policies that may help to curb the use of these dangerous narcotics impacting rural Pennsylvania.
The first hearing will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Walnut Conference Room, Williamsport Regional Medical Center, 700 High Street, Williamsport, and will seek testimony from judicial, law enforcement, healthcare and education professionals.
"Right now we have a public health crisis facing rural Pennsylvania," Yaw said. "Although our focus is on heroin use in rural Pennsylvania, we know addiction has no municipal, county, or state boundaries. It is, across the board, a national epidemic impacting residents of every age, race, gender and socioeconomic background."
In Pennsylvania, the number of fatal heroin overdoses has been increasing. According to a 2014 report from the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, there were 45 reported heroin deaths in 2009 and 124 reported heroin deaths by mid-2013.
"I do not believe that simply locking people behind bars is the answer. We need to do more. These hearings will identify what we need to be doing as state officials," Yaw added. "The primary question to be answered is what can the State Legislature do to help the fight?"
Fred Brason, CEO of Project Lazarus, will offer testimony at the Williamsport hearing on what rural communities and state government can do to respond to substance abuse and drug overdose issues. Project Lazarus is a nonprofit public health organization that was established in 2008 to respond to high drug overdose death rates in Wilkes County, NC.
The remaining two public hearings have been scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 in Berks County and Tuesday, August 19 in Clarion County.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative research agency of the General Assembly.
Contact
Christine Caldara Piatos, Communications Manager
Center for Rural Pennsylvania
717.787.9555
Contact
Rita Zielonis
717.787.3280
Office of Sen. Gene Yaw