County Overdose Task Force Presents Recommendations

By Kara Seymour

A task force created to help combat the growing epidemic of opioid-related overdoses in Montgomery County presented its recommendations to the commissioners this week.

The Montgomery County Overdose Task Force offered more than two dozen short- and long-term recommendations to help curb local drug-related overdoses. The task force, which is made up of substance abuse and medical professionals, educators, law enforcement and concerned citizens, was established in September.

Opioid-related overdoses have reached national epidemic levels and continue to climb rapidly, even in Montgomery County, officials said.

According to figures presented by the task force, Pennsylvania ranked 14th in the nation for prescription and heroin fatalities in 2010-2011. Two years later, it ranked seventh. In 2009, there were 20 heroin deaths in Montgomery County. That number increased by to 46 heroin deaths in 2013.

“We know full well people are dying from heroin overdoses throughout the county and we wanted to present you with actionable recommendations that provide realistic, practical steps we can take to address this problem,” said Abington Police Chief William Kelly, the task force co-chair.

The general immediate recommendations are:

• Increase public awareness of life-threatening opioid addiction abuse
• Ensure that law enforcement agencies in the county provide special focus and coordination on drug-related cases involving opioid overdoses or overdose deaths
• Reduce the availability of unneeded prescription drugs in homes that can be abused
• Increase school participation in evidence-based drug and alcohol prevention/intervention services
• Ensure that municipal police officers and EMS professionals in the county provide life-saving assistance to overdose victims that is as swift and as coordinated as possible
• Improve the ease that residents can connect with all county human services, including addiction and overdose-related services
• Increase professional awareness and education of life-threatening opioid use
• Improve recovery opportunities for those currently struggling with opioid addiction
• Commissioners should continue their support of Drug Treatment Court
• Develop a method to report and collect accurate and current overdose and overdose fatality data for proper analysis and future planning

The long-term recommendations include:

• Improve recovery opportunities for those currently struggling with opioid addiction
• Continue to encourage state and national governments and agencies to provide for laws and policies that are in line with the goals of the Montgomery County Overdose Task Force