York County heroin overdose deaths in 2014 could double last year’s total
Photo by Chris Knight/York Daily Record
York County District Attorney Thomas Kearney speaks as the York County Heroin Task Force hosts a town hall meeting Tuesday at York County School of Technology to discuss the heroin problem in the region.
(York) — Heroin can affect any family.
That’s the message York County Coroner Pam Gay, a founding member of a heroin task force, wants to send out to residents.
Gay, who spoke Tuesday night at the York County School of Technology in front of a crowd of about 60 people, said the task force and county coroner’s office has no handle on the amount of people in York County using the deadly narcotic. But the numbers this year of those who have died from the drug — 31 confirmed deaths with another seven suspected as of Tuesday — support the group’s characterization of the problem as an epidemic. That is quickly approaching doubling last year’s total of 17 heroin-related deaths.
At the same time, Springettsbury Chief Thomas Hyers presented department statistics that suggested a similar surge in arrests without a reduction in fatalities.
Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 of 2013, 44 heroin possession with intent to deliver arrests were made. During that same nine-month span this year, 159 similar arrests were made.
“Getting the addicts treatment is the solution,” the chief said. “It’s important to contact your elected officials to get bills passed…to get certified treatment facilities.”
Jed Baker, who sat in the crowd Tuesday night, is a certified therapist with Rehab After Work, an outpatient substance abuse-facility in York.
Baker, who acknowledged that “there is a lot of heroin in this area,” says his facility addresses the issue of addiction by focusing on an individual’s needs and figuring out how they can get through issues like depression, boredom and stress without abusing drugs.
“It’s a predictable disease,” Baker said of addiction. “We look at their needs and what’s preventing them from where they want to be.”
The task force is focused on an education effort and is using these town hall style meetings as a way to inform York County residents.
Task-force members also pointed to the signing of a heroin bill Tuesday afternoon by Governor Corbett as a positive step. The new law allows limited legal immunity for patients or those who report a drug overdose. It allows for first-responders to carry and administer the overdose antidote commonly known as Narcan.
“We’re really excited legislation passed to give first-responders Narcan,” Gay said Tuesday. She added that the Good Samaritan portion of the bill will hopefully make people no longer afraid to call 911 during an overdose. Oftentimes, her office will find those who have died from heroin alone because others have fled the scene. That hinders an investigation by the coroner’s office, she added.
The task force is scheduled to meet again Oct. 14 at the Delta Senior Center at 7 p.m., Gay said.
This article is reposted as part of a partnership between WITF and York Daily Record/Sunday News.
