Media Advisory – Heroin: Combating this Growing Epidemic in Rural Pennsylvania

What: 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.  Click here for a Recap of the previous hearings.

Who: Click here for the Agenda – (Clarion County)

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:
Tuesday, August 19th, 2014
8:30AM – 1PM

Where:
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Gemmell Student Center (Wilson & Payne Streets)
2nd Floor
840 Wood Street
Clarion, PA  16214-1232

*Campus Map

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.

More information is available on The Center for Rural Pennsylvania’s website, www.rural.palegislature.us, Facebook or on Senator Yaw’s website, www.SenatorGeneYaw.com, on Facebook and @SenatorGeneYaw on Twitter.

Contact:
Barry Denk, Director
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania
(717) 787-9555
info@rural.palegislature.us

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