Beaver County Behavioral Health with Keystone Wellness presented a Community Drug Forum entitled PROGRESS THROUGH EDUCATION about the drug epidemic Thursdayevening at CCBC’s Learning Center . According to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, the event was held during NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK. Beaver County DA David J. Lozier said between 55-70 drug dealers have been arrested, but that ‘s not going to solve the problem Drugs are coming into the county from Detroit and Chicago He said,”We have to recognize the problem . He touched on vets and minorities that had drug problems in the 70’s, in the 80-90’s it was cocaine . the cocaine was coming from Latin America, Colombia, Thailand and Turkey He said firearms went from six shooters to the semiautomatic weapons. He said, “We are trying to roll back some sentences, this is a very difficult situation now.” He added 80% of the heroin and fentanyl addicts start out using percocet for wisdom teeth and other surgeries , or 30 oxycontin for pain, a doctor said it wasn’t addictive. He said “Kids become more addicted and get “hooked.”They steal oxy and other opiates out of medicine cabinets . They an also purchase the drugs for $25 or $100 on the black market. He added”It costs $10 to snort heroin and a straw.’ once they snort, their life is done.” They steal from everyone you know. 80 start on their legal scripts. We got to schools and churches to educate the community about the problem.” 500 pounds of unused drugs were in the drug take back program in 2016. There are 14 sites in the county, and Aliquippa is to be added soon. Under Act 53 a state law, a parent and child can be forced into therapy Judge Debbie Kunselman , the sheriff, and a probation officer will be involved in a hearing to put the child in rehab. Kate Lowery, SCA Adminstrator from Behavioral Health said that providing rehab once there’s a plea before a district justice , a plea can be made to a low level mideameanor .. her office does an evaluation t the court house the same day. If the defendant is drug free for 90 days , they’ll go rehab, not jail . The hope to have the, it will save the county money. She said, “there isn’t a municipality in this county that hasn’t had an overdose death.” program in place next month . Beaver County Detective Lt. Robert Chamberlain , who heads the county’s drug task force is looking for for addicts by working with informants , police departments, the state police and the U.s. marshall’s office is a 17 member task froce including 2 females, and a k-9.. Full time police officers from the pd’s are selected by the DA’s office. They found 29 operations last month ,and issued 24 search warrants. He explained that fentanyl is 50-100 times stronger than heroin . 2mg of carfentanyl will kill 10 men. In one recent drug seizure with a search warrant 18 guns were seized. pills,and money. Kim Andrews of Keystone Wellnes said kids are wired for risk , the brain isn’t fully developed until 25 , the younger you use tobacco, your brain function diminshes . Alcohol used and abused is something of a concern for under 21, it is illegal.In 8th grade inhalants such as spray cans become a problem , the rob the body of oxygen , white out and sharpees give off fumes Cocaine seems to be coming back, , mollies are now, and are snorted through a hollowed out pen.. Be in charge of your children’s meds, keep a journal , monitor inhalers, rubber bands, bloody tissues, and cotton balls , this is a red flag.”They hide kits in bibles, old cell phones, in back of pictures, air vents. Monitor your child’s after school activities ,”Follow your gut.” Deputy coroner and Medic-Rescue operations director Bill Pasquale said how and when to use narcan, which is now available for the epidemic caused by the availability of heroin carfentanyl, and users are overdosing . He said narcan reverses the effect of an overdose He said, sometimes you have to administer more than one dose. If there is a needle in a user’s arm or hand call 911 before administering the narcan. You will be immune from prosecution.”Time is of the essence.” Tracy Irwin case manager for BC Behavioral Health said if you or someone you know is addicted to drugs, you don’t have to go through it alone.”Our office will work with EMS and the hospital , we want to act on it right away to find out what level of care is needed. She said, there are many s teps to recovery, and our managers are there to follow them.”There is individual group or counseling for 5-6 days , 14-28 or 90 days. Insurance can be difficult , the addict may not have insurance or owe a bill from before.available . There are resources and help out there , events like this are critical, we have a partnership with law enforcemnt.”
