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Editor's Note: This story is part of an Associated Press series on the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. The first of the series will appear in Monday's diary in a Howard Frank story for the Pocono Record
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – More than 50 print, digital and audiovisual media outlets highlight common tactics used to combat the devastating effects of the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania, from smaller cities to larger cities.
One of the goals of collaboration with the media: "State of Emergency: Finding Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Pennsylvania," was to ensure that communities in every part of the world were in a state of emergency. state are aware of strategies, innovations and community efforts that help alleviate the crisis, or at least show promise. " 19659002 "Everybody has seen the statistics on lethal overdoses – EMTs have been calling for the drug addict to be revived again and again: the new, more dangerous drugs we've been covering for a very long time," said Cate Barron of PennLive / The Patriot-News, The Editors of the Pennsylvania Associated Press and the Pennsylvania Society of News Editors called on newsrooms in April to document possible solutions and share their stories with all project participants 19659002] "In 2016 , more than 2,200 Pennsylvanians have died from opioid overdoses, the fourth highest rate in the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Stories of Almost all 67 counties in the state, published or released starting on Sunday, show how government agencies, businesses, first responders, families of victims and the its 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 that Mikey died, he died with him, helps you on your journey," reads Provanzo in a note. "If you feel like you want to give up Please think about 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 Columbia County, 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 drug addicts. "
A Little League veteran passes the message to Lycoming County about the dangers of opioids Barry Rake launched his initiative last fall and, with the help of a dozen volunteers, has already distributed about 7,000 tip 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 program in Somerset County seeks to help adults recover from substance abuse by finding meaningful employment. The Chamber of Commerce says the effort also helps 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 them. "
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