What: The Center for Rural Pennsylvania has announced 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 video ‘Preview’.
Who: Click here for the Agenda to Hearing 1 – Williamsport
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board:
Senator Gene Yaw, Chairman
Senator John Wozniak, Vice Chairman
Representative Garth D. Everett, Treasurer
Dr. Nancy Falvo, Clarion University, Secretary
Representative Rick Mirabito
Dr. Livingston Alexander, University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Theodore R. Alter, Pennsylvania State University
Stephen M. Brame, Governor’s Representative
Taylor A. Doebler III, Governor’s Representative
Dr. Stephan J. Goetz, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
Dr. Karen M. Whitney, Clarion University
When: Wednesday, July 9th, 2014
Where: Susquehanna Health System
Williamsport Regional Medical Center
Walnut Conference Room
700 High Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
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. 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.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Barry Denk, Director
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania
(717) 787-9555
info@rural.palegislature.us