FIGHTING ADDICTION

‘We need to do more,’ Mayor Herrin proclaims

Mayor Dianne Herrin is fighting the opioid epidemic on the local level.

During Thursday’s “Mayor’s Opioid Action Task Force” kickoff event Herrin advocated continuing efforts at local levels to destigmatize opioid addiction, raise awareness and launch local initiatives.

“We need to do more,” Herrin told about 40 supporters at the historic courthouse. “We need to be here for each other. “We’ll make a difference any way we can.”

The task force is fighting the stigma, while noting that opioid victims are young, old, rich, poor, white, black and Hispanic.

Police Chief Scott Bohn noted that 30 people in the Greater West Chester Area, and six in the borough, died of drug overdoses in 2017. Fifteen were saved by naloxone, the life-saving medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, administered by borough police officers in 2017.

“Mayor Herrin’s task force is one way those affected by the opioid epidemic are coming together,” Bohn said.

Bohn said the 14-member task force brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including law enforcement, the medical community, people in recovery, treatment professionals, public health professionals, educators and others to “focus on solutions, improve

local treatment access and publicize available support programs and resources.”

“The police department is here as a resource to help and support those in need and we are part of the solution,” Bohn said.

First Assistant District Attorney Michael Noone said that 144 Chester County residents died from accidental overdoses in 2017.

“These numbers are staggering and heartbreaking,” Noone said. “Only through a cooperative team effort will we be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. We need to raise awareness and educate about the dangers of drug overdoses.”

Chester County Coroner Christina VandePol said that confronting the opioid crisis is a local issue, with everything happening locally.

A local program like this gives the opportunity for every member of the community to help, VandePol said.

Cathie O’Donnell talked about her son, Shane, who lost his life due to addiction.

She told of how he became hooked on prescription drugs, which he originally took for pain, and then continued because it felt good.

“This addiction had such control of him,” she said. “It’s time to end the stigma of addiction and let go of the ‘not my family’ attitude.”

Psychotherapist and addiction counselor Lex Remillard said there is so much misinformation available.

“Recovery is possible,” he said. “Please reach out.”

Ethan Healy is Project Naloxone Manager, with the Good Fellowship Ambulance Company.

“We will have a positive effect,” 22-year-old Healy said. “It’s important to our community as a whole.”

The task force’s first event will be an interactive panel discussion for family and friends of those struggling with opioid dependence. “The Focus on the Family” panel will be held at Oscar Lasko YMCA at 7 p.m. on Tuesday June 26.

BILL RETTEW JR. – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Lex Remillard, psychotherapist/addiction counselor, left, county Coroner Christina VandePol, and West Chester Mayor Dianne Herrin at the Mayor’s Opioid Action Task Force kickoff, at the historic courthouse Thursday.

SUBMITTED PHOTO – JIM SLAVAS Members of the Mayor’s Opioid Action Task Force and Advisory Board, from left to right: Bill Mann, Ethan Healey, Kyle Hudson, Kevin Patrick Kelly, Kristina Rowshan, Mayor Dianne Herrin, Psychotherapist/Counselor Lex Remillard, Chester County Coroner Christina VandePol, Rev. Rich Mollica, Chester County First Assistant DA Michael Noone, West Chester Borough Police Chief Scott Bohn, Johnathan Ashton, and Cathie O’Donnell.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/JIM SALVAS West Chester Mayor Dianne Herrin speaks at the kick-off event of the Mayor’s Opioid Action Task Force.