September Is Opioid Awareness Month

I know several parents who have lost their children as a result of opioid overdoses. Their children died, but something inside these parents died as well. They go through the motions at work, and if you can get them to open up, they blame themselves as much as the drug that killed their sons and daughters. This is Opioid Awareness month, a time to raise awareness about the problem. 

In most cases, fentanyl is the real killer. It's really poison. I posted recently about Northampton County's effort to provide Narcan to the public, which can be used in emergencies to reduce narcotic overdoses. I received several negative comments, including this one: "It's only to protect the little rich white kids,let's put some efforts into gang violence in neighborhoods ... ." Sounds good, except it's wrong. According to the National Institute of Health, fentanyl deaths among black males and females surpass those among whites, and that gap is growing larger.

Using settlement proceeds from a lawsuit that DA Terry Houck brought against Big Pharma, the county has established a Fake is Real campaign to make the public aware that fake pills kill. 

To kick off the month, 52 NARCAN kits were delivered to members of the public. On  September 9, the Fake is Real campaign will be at the Northampton Street Fair to raise public awareness. NARCAN training classes will be provided on September 11 at the Human Services Building, 2801 Emrick Blvd, Bethlehem, Pa. You can register for training here. As already mentioned in a separate post, a "Live Well, Be Well" event is also scheduled at Easton Middle School on September 30. 

This should be something that unites both parties. According to an Axios-Ipsos poll, Republicans consider opioids the number one health threat facing this nation. Democrats place it at number two, along with obesity. 

NorCo to Distribute NARCAN on August 31

: From Northampton County: On International Overdose Awareness Day, the Northampton County Drug and Alcohol Division will hold a free NARCAN distribution drive-thru event. The event, on Thursday, August 31, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Northampton County Department of Human Services Building, is part of Northampton County's Fake is Real campaign.

"Counties are on the frontline of the opioid epidemic," says Executive Lamont McClure. "It's important that the County of Northampton makes resources available to help everyone impacted."

The Fake is Real campaign aims to educate families, specifically young adults in the 18-35 age group, about the dangers of buying counterfeit prescription pills that may contain fentanyl. The campaign is funded from proceeds secured from litigation against opioid manufacturers. This funding from the settlement gives the County the opportunity to strengthen our response to the ongoing epidemic, raise awareness to prevent addiction and offer services to treat addiction. The NARCAN is provided at no cost through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

You can learn more about our campaign by visiting FakeIsReal.org. The event is free and open to the public.

Two NorCo Deputy Sheriffs Respond to Easton Overdose

Lamont McClure commends the actions of Deputy Sheriffs Dan Zeigler and Stephen Tuxhorn. Last Friday, the two deputies were on their way to serve a Protection from Abuse Order when they heard a call on the radio for an unresponsive male in the area. They stopped to ask the
Easton police officers on site if they could be of any assistance and were asked if they had any NARCAN. Deputy Zeigler assisted Officer Thornton in administering NARCAN to the unresponsive male. Within one minute, the man was responsive and alert. EMS arrived at the scene soon afterwards.

“I want to thank our deputies for their quick actions in this situation,” McClure said. “Considering the scourge opioids presents to our County, I’m glad members of our sheriff’s department were able to help.”

This is not the first time that Deputy Sheriffs have responded to an opioid overdose. In November, Deputy Sheriff Scott Kuehner respnded to two overdoses in two days.

Northampton County residents with drug and alcohol problems can call the County’s HELP line at 610-252-9060. Services offered include referrals for treatments, assessments, guidance, support and information for both individuals seeking assistance and their families.

Where is NorCo's Drug Epidemic Hitting Hardest?

Tiffany Rossanese, who administered NorCo's Drug and Alcohol program until a few days ago, is moving over to take control of the county's Mental Health and IDD (Intellectual Disability) department. But last week, she still updated Northampton County Council on the impact of the opioid epidemic. She was able to report on surprising trends noticed in data compiled by the Northampton County Opioid and Heroin Overdose Task Force.

This first chart reflects the number of NorCo residents hospitalized with overdoses in 2015 (250), 2016 (567) and 2017 (558). Though overdoses dropped slightly in 2017, both 2016 and 2017 are double the number of overdoses in 2015.

This chart breaks down overdoses by month. I am unable to discern a pattern. Perhaps you see something I am missing.

Here you can see that the percentage of males who overdose is slightly higher than women.

As you may have guessed, young people are most severely impacted by overdoses, especially those between 15 and 44.

It's no surprise that residents living in zip codes 18015, 18017 and 18042, which include Bethlehem and Easton, would have high number of overdoses. But so does zip code 18067 (Northampton) and 18064 (Nazareth).

Statistics gathered by the Coroner show that drug overdose deaths have quadrupled since 2010.

Interestingly, 80% of those who die from drug overdoses are white.

Though younger people experience the most drug overdoses, the highest number of overdose deaths is in the 51-60 age group.

NorCo to Open 4th Recovery Resource Center in Northampton

In July, NorCo Executive Lamont McClure and the Department of Human Services will open a new facility for Northampton County residents in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. “With the opioid crisis affecting Pennsylvania and our nation in general, and our county in particular, it is the responsibility of local government to provide services for residents seeking a path to recovery,” says Lamont McClure.

Called Change on Main, this resource center will be located at 1830 Main Street in Northampton. It will assist individuals in establishing connections and accessing resources. Being involved in a recovery community and having sober support can help individuals maintain sobriety and become productive citizens. It will be paid for from a block grant as well as local fines and fees from DUIs. There will be one full-time paid employee and volunteers. It will offer yoga classes, art activities, 12-Step meetings and sober events such as open mic nights, karaoke and holiday meals. Computers and internet access will be available for resume writing and job searches. Certified Recovery Specialists will be available to individuals referred to the program. No treatment will be offered at this site.

In 2017, there were 1,236 arrests for driving under the influence in Northampton County as well as 558 reported overdoses, 109 of which were fatal. Pennsylvania’s rate of overdoses is higher than the national average. Fatal opioid overdoses increased by over 400% in Pa. between 2006 and 2016.

Change on Main will be the fourth resource center for individuals in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Recovery services for Northampton County residents are also available at the Bethlehem Recovery Center, Change on 3rd Street, and A Clean Slate.

Bethlehem Recovery Center
548 North New Street – First Floor
Bethlehem, PA 18018
610-849-2209

Change on 3rd Street
117 N. 3rd Street
Easton, PA 18042
610-829-2770

A Clean Slate
100 S. 1st Street
Bangor, PA 18013
610-452-9348

NorCo Receives Grant For Drug Court

Judge Craig Dally prefers diplomas to drug court
grads over jail sentences. 

Northampton County has just been awarded a $132,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to expand programming services for the Northampton County Adult Drug Court. The money will fund staff training, client monitoring, and needs based assistance to clients inclusive of housing, transportation, and ancillary needs. The grant also provides sober living activities.

Opioid use, and the fatal overdoses that accompany it, has plagued the nation and the Lehigh Valley. The Drug Court, launched on April 2, 2015, emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Participants benefit from a system that addresses their individual needs, keeping them out of jail, and helping them access social services on their path to sobriety. Traditional prison and jail sentences do not always offer drug users treatment for their addictions. The Drug Court combines treatment with strict court oversight. Keeping an individual out of prison saves taxpayers $112.15 per day. To keep someone in a Northampton jail for a full year costs $40,374.

Drug overdose deaths have increased sharply on the Lehigh Valley since 2014, according to records maintained by both the Northampton and Lehigh County Coroners. These fatalities have increased sharply even though drug overdose kits have been widely available and have been used by first responders over the past year.

In Northampton County, drug overdose deaths have tripled since 2014. There were 31 deaths that year. As of October 25, 91 Northampton County residents had succumbed to opiates. In Lehigh County, there were 88 drug overdose deaths in 2014. In 2017, that number has soared to 167 as of October 22. "Unfortunately, we are outperforming Norco," complained then Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller.

NorCo Coroner Zach Lysek has told Council that his staff now collects a decedent's prescription drugs. This year, his team has collected 407 pounds of drugs thus far.

Former Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller said that "as you clamp down on the Rx side, the 'market' tends to shift to the even more dangerous illegal market where fentanyl has become prominent."

Fenatanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. It is sometimes sold as heroin, leading to overdoses.

According to Muller, "This isn’t just an Allentown and minorities issue, as the prejudiced and ignorant mind might suspect."

NorCo's Children Youth and Families Director Kevin Dolan would certainly agree. He has told Council that caseworkers responding to complaints have observed the problem has had a widespread impact on wealthier suburban communities where the parent, and not the child, is addicted.

Since April 2015, the Northampton County Drug Court has provided a pathway for substance addicted individuals involved in the criminal justice system a pathway to sustained recovery. The Court currently has an enrollment of fifty-six (56) participants, and to date, it has had nine (9) successful graduates.

How is NorCo Handling Opioid Crisis?

Tiffany Rossanese

What's Northampton County doing about the opioid crisis? That question stumped County Council candidates at a recent debate. But Tiffany Rossanese can answer that question. She's the Administrator of Northampton Drug and Alcohol program. She updated Council members yesterday on what her department is doing to combat America's heroin epidemic.

College Outreach. - Northampton and Lehigh County have teamed up to approach local colleges to educate students about the problem. Joe, a Lehigh University Master's candidate and participant in Northampton County's Drug Court, has been sharing his story with students.

HOPE (Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education). - This program is offered at schools and community venues to educate parents, students, professionals about opioid addiction and where to go for help.

Hospital Outreach. - This is another bi-county effort with area hospitals for persons who have substance abuse problems. The goal is to persuade overdose victims to seek and get help, regardless of the substances used or ability to pay. Mid-Atlantic Rehabilitation Services will then provide assessments and recommend treatment. During October, there were 171 referrals, and 146 people were seen.

Police Outreach. - Bethlehem and Bangor police departments have started an open door policy in which a drug addict can approach them and be connected to a treatment provider instead of a jail cell. A person who has drugs or paraphernalia can turn them over without fear that there will be charges. If the person has an outstanding warrant, it will be served at that time.

Recovery Centers.- There are three in Northampton County based in Easton (Change on 3d, 117 3d St), Bethlehem (Bethlehem Recovery Center, 548 N New St) and Bangor (A Clean Slate, 100 S.1st St.).

Drug Court. - This Court, administered by Judge Craig Dally, currently has 54 participants who appear before him weekly. There are eight pending application. There have been nine graduates.