“Community Conversation on Heroin Abuse” scheduled for March 27

In recent weeks and months, the problem of heroin addiction in our communities has become clear. I have received calls and emails from constituents who are frustrated, confused and scared about the impact of heroin use. As anyone who has dealt with the painful reality of addiction knows, there are no easy answers; however, it is time to start asking the necessary questions to help empower communities to help themselves.

I have taken these concerns to heart and researched the best approach to begin a conversation about how to tackle the heroin problem locally. As a result, I have partnered with the office of Attorney General Kathleen Kane to host a public informational meeting to examine the problem of heroin abuse in local communities and discuss ways to combat the issue and find solutions.

The “Community Conversation on Heroin Abuse”, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Thursday, March 27 at the Burgettstown Area Middle/High School, located at 104 Bavington Road in Burgettstown. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Although the event is being held in Burgettsown, it is not limited to the Burgettstown area.

The event will feature a presentation by members of the Attorney General’s staff to include facts surrounding heroin abuse and details on successful programs that have been put into place in other communities. I have also invited local elected officials and law enforcement to participate in the discussion.

But just as important, we will have a question-and-answer session and a discussion on how to tackle the problem on a community level. I want this to be an interactive discussion, not a lecture. In order for any comprehensive solution to emerge, everyone needs to be communicating clearly about the challenges small communities face when dealing with heroin.

There are real questions about what residents should do when they see suspicious activity, who they should talk to and what they should be on the lookout for. Hopefully we can get answers to those questions and increase community awareness as a tool for law enforcement.

Unfortunately, there has been a sharp increase in heroin-related deaths in this region over the last several months, and heroin abuse has become an increasing and alarming problem in some of our local communities. I hope this meeting starts what will be the first of many steps toward ridding our neighborhoods of heroin, and I look forward to working together with local officials, law enforcement, community leaders and concerned residents to begin solving these problems.

Law enforcement does a valiant job in helping to ensure safety in our communities; however, in a time of tight budgets and personnel cutbacks statewide, the time is now for us to take action locally in the fight against drug abuse and addiction.

Please join us on Thursday, March 27 at Burgettstown High School so we can start a conversation that will help keep our communities safe from the dangers of heroin abuse. I hope to see you there.

For more information, please call my office at 724-746-3677 or 724-947-4422.