News agencies collaborate to share solutions to the opioid crisis

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – More than 50 print, digital and audio-visual media outlets highlight the various and sometimes unusual tactics used to combat the devastating effects of opioid crisis in Pennsylvania, from smaller cities to bigger cities.

One of the goals of collaboration with the media, "State of Emergency: Seeking Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Pennsylvania". in every part of the state are aware of strategies, innovations and community efforts that help alleviate the crisis, or at least show promise. "19659003]" Everybody has seen the statistics on fatal overdoses, stories about EMTs The new, more dangerous drugs have long been covered by this horrific epidemic, "said Cate Barron of PennLive / The Patriot-News, one of the publishers who organized this effort.

So, the Pennsylvania ania Associated Press Media Editors and the Pennsylvania Society of News Editors launched a call for newsrooms in April to document potential solutions and share their stories with all participants in the project.

"We found many reasons to In 1965, more than 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 state states 67 counties, published or released starting on Sunday, show how government agencies, businesses, first responders, victims' families and ordinary citizens are fighting against the opioid crisis. Parents turn grief into action, police work to understand addiction, and counties help people in recovery to 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 notes and give them to those who enter the rehabilitation centers.

"The day Mikey died with me, his father died with him, he helps you on your journey," reads Provanzo in a note. "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 officers are trying 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, has already distributed in Viron 7000 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. "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 them. "