Forum on opioid crisis set for May 11th at WITF
In November 2014, WITF launched a special series called Real Life, Real Issues: Drugs and Young People, as the heroin crisis was first becoming known.
Since then, it has only escalated, despite the efforts of public health officials, lawmakers, the medical community, and concerned parents and community members.
Thousands of people have already died from heroin or other opioid overdoses in the past few years, but recently, coroners in both York and Lancaster counties reported yet another spike in overdose deaths.
Experts in the field have consistently warned that the crisis was likely to get worse, and that reducing overdoses would take years.
The latest news is a reminder that the fight to bring an end to the epidemic could last a decade or more.
On May 11th at 6pm, WITF will examine the current state of the drug crisis in the midstate, with experts who see its effects and are fighting to make changes every day.
Join us for “The Midstate’s Opioid Crisis: Where Are We Now?”.
Cumberland County District Attorney Dave Freed, WellSpan Health’s Dr. Chris Echterling, Kristin Varner with the recovery organization the RASE Project, and someone directly affected by the crisis will answer questions about the future, challenges that remain, and provide some hope for people who are trying to enter recovery.
Transforming Health reporter Ben Allen will moderate the discussion.
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP is requested for planning purposes.
We hope you can join us at WITF’s Public Media Center in Harrisburg on May 11th.
“The Midstate’s Opioid Crisis: Where Are We Now?” is made possible through Capital BlueCross, Penn State Health, and WellSpan Health.
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