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Posted 1:12 pm, Saturday, June 30, 2018
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – More than 50 print, digital and audio-visual media outlets highlight the various and sometimes exceptional tactics used to combat the devastating effects of the opioid crisis across Pennsylvania, one objectives of the media collaboration, "State of Emergency: Finding Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Pennsylvania", was to ensure that communities across all regions of the state know strategies, innovations and community.
"Everybody has seen the statistics on fatal overdoses, the stories about EMTs called to revive the same addict again and again. The new drugs, more dangerous. We've all covered this appalling epidemic for a very long time, "said Cate Barron of PennLive / The Patriot-News, one of the publishers who organize the effort.
The Pennsylvania Society of News Editors has launched a call to newsrooms in April to document potential solutions and share their stories with all project participants.
"We found many reasons for real hope," said Barron. 2,200 Pennsylvanians died from opioid overdoses, the fourth highest rate in the United States, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stories from almost all 67 counties released Sunday, shows how government agencies, businesses, first responders, families of victims and ordinary citizens are fighting against the opioid crisis. Bringing grief into action, police working to understand addiction and counties helping people in recovery find meaningful work and keep families together.
Judy Provanzo founded a support group after her 22-year-old son Michael. died in an overdose. After a few weeks of meeting, the women in the group decided that talking was not enough and they wanted to do something to keep the memories of their children alive and help others who are suffering. They decided to fill backpacks with toiletries and sincere encouragement and give them to those who enter rehabilitation centers.
"The day Mikey died with me, his father died with him, he helps you on your journey," says a note from Provanzo. "If you feel as if you want to give up, Please think of Mikey and how my heart breaks up not having it. Do not forget you are loved and you can do it one day at a time. "
In the County of Columbia, Berwick Police try to help people suffering from opioid addiction, guiding them to treatment even as they attack drug traffickers.
"We are here to protect and serve, "said Police Chief Kenneth Strish," This includes addicts. "
A Little League veteran passes the message to Lycoming County about the dangers of opioids Barry Rake launched its initiative last fall and, with the help of a dozen volunteers, already has di Stribuated about 7,000 bottles of water in the county. The plastic sports bottles carry the slogan "Too Smart to Start" and contain a message about drug abuse towards parents.
A Somerset County program is designed to help adults recover from substance abuse by finding meaningful employment. The Chamber of Commerce says this effort is also helping to meet the needs of employers facing a labor shortage due to the opioid crisis.
"These are people at a crossroads," said Ron Aldom, director of the Chamber of Commerce. "In many cases, these are bright and educated people … who are committed to changing their lives. The idea behind Operation Hope Shot is:" Let's commit to taking them. "
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