Huge Crowd Sez Goodbye to Dan McNeill

One of the things I like to do is give an accurate figure of how many people are at an event. But there is no way I can tell you for sure how many people attended the three-hour viewing for State Rep. Dan McNeill last night in Whitehall Township at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church. All I can say is that it was a big crowd for a big man who really cared about the less fortunate.

I stood in line for 1 1/2 hours and heard several stories about how Danny, long before he was a State Rep, would reach out and help people in need. Usually, it involved him diving into his own pocket. Many of you knew him longer and better than I, but for some reason, he and I instantly clicked.

He was the first public official in Pa. to really draw attention to our heroin epidemic.

Dan's passing was a shock to everyone, including Dan's wife, Jeanne. But I think she really appreciated those of you who came and offered condolences.

While waiting in line, I snapped this photo of a picture from his football-playing days at Dieruff High School. He looked badass even then. But that was a cover.

One of Dan's political foes, David Molony, stood in line to pay his respects.

I don't know if this is true, but Governor Tom Wolf is rumored to have been among those who offered Jeanne their condolences.

There will be a second viewing today at 10 am, with funeral services at 11 am.

It's supposed to rain today, and according to Irish legend, that means Danny has already passed through the gates of heaven.

Hanover (Lehigh) and McNeill To Host Heroin, Opioid Addiction Town Hall Tonight!

I will be at a NorCo Council Committee hearing at 6 pm, but as soon as it ends, I'll be heading to this Town Hall at Days Hotel in Allentown at 3400 Airport Road. It starts at 7 pm. Parents and students are welcome to as questions and share their insights.

Among elected officials here in the Lehigh Valley, Dan McNeill has done more than anyone, with the possible exception of the DAs and judges. Unfortunately, they deal with the aftermath. McNeill would like to preventit from getting there.

McNeill Donates Campaign Cash to Fight Heroin Addiction.

The Bethlehem School District check was presented to Nitschmann Middle School Principal Peter Mayes Also pictured on the left is Kathy Halkins, Supervisor of Health Services for BASD. On the Right is Vivian Robledo-Shorey, Director of Student Services and Minority Affairs for BASD.  

Some elected officials use campaign funds to pay their cell phone bills. Others buy clothing. A few, like Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski, use these donations to pay criminal defense lawyers. But State Rep. Dan McNeill (Pa. 133rd District) is dipping into his warchest, not for himself, but to fight heroin addiction.

When he conducted his first ever St. Patty’s Day Campaign Fundraiser, he vowed that every penny raised would be spent on the heroin and opioid addiction epidemic throughout the state.

He's kept his word. McNeill raised $2,000 at that fundraiser, and has donated the money evenly among the Whitehall/Coplay, Catasauqua, Bethlehem and Salisbury school districts.

“This epidemic is tearing families apart throughout the Lehigh Valley, and I’d rather see the money we raised go to fighting this problem than to pay for another campaign mailer,” said McNeill. “I’m tired of hearing about another young life lost to heroin, and the money will be better spent on educating our children and young adults on the dangerous of this often deadly addiction.”

McNeill donated $500 to each of four school districts to pay for drug education seminars like Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education (HOPE). Children learn the dangers of heroin and opioid use, while their parents are educated on the signs of heroin and opioid abuse as well. Although McNeill hopes that the programs are presented to all grades, he would like to see the focus on elementary school students.

McNeill has hosted two Town Hall Meetings as well as a roundtable discussion with State Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs Director Gary Tennis on the addiction problem. “I believe that we need to educate our students on the dangers of these drugs. If we can convince just one young adult to say 'no,' it will be worth it. If you don’t already know someone who is affected by this problem, within five years, you will. It could be your family member, your friend, your co-worker, or your neighbor. We have to fight this as a community, and I believe we have to educate our kids as early as possible to keep them off this dangerous path,” concluded McNeill.

The Bethlehem School District check was presented to Nitschmann Middle School Principal Peter Mayes Also pictured on the left is Kathy Halkins, Supervisor of Health Services for BASD. On the Right is Vivian Robledo-Shorey, Director of Student Services and Minority Affairs for BASD.

Blogger's Note: I am sorry to have missed the actual presentation at Nitschmann. I was waiting outside the new school, which is under construction. But it was done inside the old school. 

Morganelli, McNeill Take Aim at Heroin Epidemic

State rep. Dan McNeill with DA John Morganelli

Physically, it would be hard to find two people more different than Northampton County DA John Morganelli and State Rep Dan McNeill. Morganelli is small in stature, but is a fearless prosecutor, with 25 successful homicide cases under his belt  McNeill is a tough former ironworker who dwarfs a podium.But he's been deeply touched by the heroin epidemic ripping across the Lehigh Valley and the entire state. In recent weeks, he's teamed up with Lehigh County DA Jim Martin to raise public awareness of this crisis with town halls in Whitehall and Coplay. Now he's joining forces Morganelli as well to combat a serious public health problem. They both addressed their efforts following a meeting at the Northampton County Courthouse on April 14.

In recent months, Morganelli has arrested drug dealers who have sold heroin to victims who've overdosed and died. But Morganelli completely agrees with Lehigh County DA Jim Martin's assessment that it's impossible to "prosecute the problem away."

Heroin is now the biggest drug problem in the state. Its abuse is now the leading cause of accidental deaths in the state, surpassing accidental deaths, claims Morganelli. He also referred to statistics showing that accidental overdose deaths have been reported in 30 Lehigh Valley communities in 2014 and 2015.

In McNeill's town halls audiences have been frustrated at police for failing to take dealers off the streets, doctors for prescribing addictive painkillers and our health system for making it so difficult for families to find and then afford treatment for their loved ones.

At one of those town halls, McNeill invited Sharon Stauffer, a mother from Emmaus. She lost her son Ryan to a heroin overdose in 2010. He died with two needles stuck in his arm and eight empty bags of heroin by his side. Her poignant advice? "If your gut's telling you there's something wrong, there's something wrong."

Morganelli, who is one of three Democrats seeking his party's nomination for state Attorney General, said it's time to "change strategy" for accidental overdoses. "We have not been winning the war on drugs," he conceded. He has a three-pronged plan

First, Hit it at its source

He'd stop the flow of heroin into Pennsylvania by focusing on criminal organizations that bring it into the state and have made it cheap.He wants to form a "transnational organized crime unit" for a "full court press" to "crush" criminal enterprises that not only bring in heroin from other countries, but also engage in weapons trafficking, cyber crime and human trafficking. This specialized team would work closely with federal investigators.

Second, An ounce of prevention ...

Morganelli wants to step up preventive measures Every police department in the state would be supplied and trained with naloxone kits, which are used to treat heroin overdoses. He would overhaul a prescription drug monitoring program to make it easier to identify prescription drug abuse and tackle problems "before they get out of hand." He would expand the use of treatment courts and step up education efforts, particularly at schools.

Third, Support Your Local Sheriff

Sarah McCann shares story 

"We need more boots on the ground," he claimed. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 2006 decision, effectively has prevented over 2,000 deputy sheriffs from participating in drug task forces. Noting that Sheriffs have the same training as police officers, he'd like to see legislation enacted that would give local DAs the option of using deputy sheriffs to participate in drug task forces.

Morganelli noted that as bad as heroin abuse is in the Lehigh Valley or in urban centers like Philadelphia, it's even worse in rural counties, where "county prisons have become detox units" and criminal justice resources are understaffed. Local sheriffs could fill that gap, he maintains.

At one of his town halls, McNeill provided an example of rural heroin abuse. Sarah McCann, age 24, is a farmer's daughter. And a heroin addict. She was shaking as she waited her turn to speak in Coplay At her young age, she's already lost a baby she was carrying. Her addicted boyfriend overdosed and died.

McNeill Forming Heroin Caucus, Wants Halfway Houses

Morganelli lauded McNeill for his efforts. For his part, the former trades union agent said he knew nothing about the subject until a few months ago. "What woke me up was when I heard from two parents who had just buried their children the day before," he said. "It blew my mind."

McNeill stated that Morganelli in Northampton County and Martin in Lehigh County have promised to help him in any way they can. Though he's running for re-election against Republican Dave Molony, he denied his interest is motivated by politics. "I have one Republican (Jim Martin) and one Democrat (John Morganelli) backing me, so I feel very good about that."

In Harrisburg, McNeill is setting up a bipartisan heroin caucus, and hopes to have 100 state legislators join him. He claimed the heroin epidemic "has to be stopped," and called it "totally out of control,." noting that there were over 3,000 heroin overdoes deaths last year in Pennsylvania. .

"These kids on heroin are not criminals," he said. "This has become a sickness."  He'd like to open up halfway houses specialized to deal with heroin and other opioids.

Dan McNeill clowns around with Tim Munsch

McNeill welcomes anyone with concerns to call his office (610-266-1273), regardless whether they live in his district.

As McNeill made his way out of the courthouse, he stopped to meet some members of Northampton County's Drug Court.

Tim Munsch, Director of Lehigh Valley Drug and Alcohol Intake,said that Lehigh Valley and St.Luke's Hospital should be more involved, and McNeill told him he'd like to use part of the vacant Allentown State Hospital to establish treatment for heroin and opioid addiction.

If You Need Help, There's Hope

Northampton County's Drug and Alcohol Division is sponsoring a presentation about the growing heroin and opioid epidemic. It will be hosted by HOPE (Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education) on Thursday, April 28, at 6:30 pm, at Bethlehem's Town Hall (10 E Church St, Bethlehem)

If you have a teenage child suffering from addiction or alcoholism, a parent support group meets every Thursday, 7 pm, at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104.  For more information, contact Donna Jacobsen at DonnaJacobsen657@gmail.com

McNeill Hosts Second Town Hall on Heroin Epidemic

Dan McNeill hosts Second Town Hall about heroin epidemic

I caught half of State Rep. Dan McNeill's Town Hall at Coplay's American Club Pavilion last night concerning the current heroin and opioid addiction epidemic.  There were about forty people in the audience including a few parents, teachers and high school students. McNeill did practically none of the talking. Instead, we heard from three parents whose children died as a result of heroin addiction. In addition, two young ladies who are in the very early stages of recovery spoke. One has been clean for just 76 days, and spent much of the meeting shaking The other has only been sober for two months.

A Drug Overdose Parent

Sharon Stauffer, a mother from Emmaus, had the most poignant advice. "If you're gut's telling you there's something wrong, there's something wrong." She lost her son Ryan to a heroin overdose in 2010. He dide with two needles stuck in his arm and eight empty bags of heroin at his side.

He started his drug use in 2001, smoking marijuana. Now most people don't progress from that to marijuana, bit he did because he is an addict. He had battled his addiction fro years, in and out of rehabs.

Three months before his death, friends noticed needle marks in his arms and he began crying. "I can't stop," he told them.

Before he overdosed, he made an appointment to see a counselor. She couldn't see him for a few days because one of her other clients had just overdosed and had died.

"I could be doing a lot better," he told her.

"A least you're not dead," said the counselor.

Three days later, he was.

Alone.

Sarah McCann, 76 days clean

Sarah McCann

Sarah McCann, age 24, is a cutie from New York's finger lakes. Literally, she's a farmer's daughter. And a heroin addict. She's still in a very fragile condition, and was shaking as she waited her turn to speak.

She began dating early, at 14, and began abusing heroin with her boyfriend.

In May of last year, she discovered that she had become pregnant. But doctors told her she would lose the baby, and she did. Depressed, she abused heroin even more. Then her grandmother, with whom she was very close, passed away. That made he rmore depressed, and the drug abuse continued.

Forty bags a day.

Things came to a screeching halt when her boyfriend of ten years died as a result of a heroin overdose.His parents blamed her and refused to allow her to attend the viewing. She was accused of supplying the fatal dose. "I wish I had been the one who gave it to him," she said. "Maybe it wouldn't have killed him.

The good thing about Sarah's story is that she's only 23 and has a long life ahead of her.

Heroin Caucus. 

State Rep. McNeil, said he and another State Rep will be forming what he calls a "heroin caucus" to find ways to combat this epidemic. According to everyone there, this is going to be a banner year.

Parent Support Group

If you have a teenage child suffering from addiction or alcoholism, .this is a place for support and encouragement. This group meets every Thursday, 7 pm, at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104.  For more information, contact Donna Jacobsen at DonnaJacobsen657@gmail.com

I will tell you about other support groups in upcoming posts.

McNeill's St. Patty Day Fundraiser to Fight Heroin and Opioid Addiction

Dan McNeill, State Representative from the 133rd District, is running for re-election against Republican Dave Molony. So having a fundraiser is to be expected, and he is. But instead of raising money for Miked Fleck or Fed Ed or even himself, he has pledged to send whatever he gets to combat heroin and opiod addiction.

“This epidemic is tearing families apart throughout the Lehigh Valley, and I’d rather see the money we raise go to fighting this problem than to pay for another campaign mailer,” said McNeill. “I’m tired of hearing about another young life lost to heroin, and the money will be better spent on educating or treating these young men and women from this often deadly addiction.” McNeill states that he is researching where to donate the money.

His St. Paddy Daty Fundraiser, is actually scheduled for the day after. It will be at 6:00 p.m. this Friday, March 18, at the American Club Pavilion in Coplay. (300 Cherry St).

McNeill hosted a standing-room only Town Hall Meeting at Whitehall High School on February 24, and is planning on another at The American Club Pavilion on Wednesday, March 30. When i get more details, I'll let you know. “I want to keep the conversation going, to try to reach as many parents and young adults as we can. If we can keep just one young adult from traveling down the path to addiction, or help them get into recovery, then all of this will be worth it,” concluded McNeill.

For more details, contact Celeste Dee, who is with the Friends of Dan McNeill, at cdee@advantagepep.com.

Dan McNeill Needs Your Help With "No Budget No Pay" Bill

One of the most disgusting things about the state budget impasse is that legislators are still being paid. Dan McNeill has gained some bi-partisan support for his "No Budget No Pay" bill, but as of Wednesday, not a single member of the Lehigh Valley delegation had signed on. In order to persuade his colleagues, McNeill is asking you to sign his petition to suspend pay until there is a complete budget. You can do so here.

As of Wednesday, he had support from Madeleine Dean (D) – 153 (Montgomery County), Stephen Kinsey (D) – 201 (Philadelphia County), Kristin Hill (R) – 93 (York County), Anthony DeLuca (D) – 32 (Allegheny County), William Kortz (D) – 38 (Allegheny County), and Dan Miller (D) – 42 (Allegheny County).

McNeill to Host Budget Rally on Wednesday

WHITEHALL: - State Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-Lehigh, will host a rally on Wednesday to call for a responsible state budget and to address a few key issues that must be part of any proposed budget.  His event will be held 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Westgate Mall, 2285 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem.

McNeill will be joined by teachers, labor members, local officials and seniors who are concerned about the lack of progress in passing a responsible budget.

He beliefves the core issues facing Pennsylvania are a structural budget deficit; a drastically underfunded school system; and rising property taxes for seniors and middle-class families.

While there, he'll also be collecting school supplies which will be handed out to students in need in his district.

McNeill: Corbett Budget Wrong For Working Families

State Rep. Bob Freeman is "concerned" about Governor Corbett's proposed budget, but State Rep. Dan McNeill, known for his blunt style, is a little more direct.

McNeill: Corbett Budget Wrong For Working Families by