IN THE LAST WEEK
It has been rare in recent years to hear any Pennsylvania officials tout success in the war against drug overdoses and deaths, but the past week brought some positive glimmers.
State Department of Health officials reported that the practice by drug abusers of “doctor shopping,” in which they visit many doctors and pharmacists to obtain extra opioids, has been reduced 86 percent through creation a year ago of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Pennsylvania was one of the last states in the country to create such a registry, through which physicians and pharmacists can track previous drugs prescribed to patients, but officials said it has already helped reduce abuse. “This has developed into an invaluable tool for the health care community to get people the help they need,” said Rachel Levine, the state’s physician general. Use of the registry can prompt physicians to refer to addiction treatment those patients who are shown to be seeking high quantities of prescription painkillers and other controlled substances.
At the same time, there were signs of stronger law enforcement efforts against those who deal lethal drugs. A New Brighton man was charged by the state attorney general with two counts of drug delivery resulting in death, tied to fatal overdoses of fentanyl early this year.
It was the first time in Beaver County that the charge of drug delivery resulting in death has been used; it can bring more serious punishment against drug dealers. Attorney General Josh Shapiro said he believes the increased use of the charge is already serving as a deterrent, prompting some dealers to switch to selling less lethal cocaine and methamphetamine.
In a federal case in which the same charge was used, North Side drug dealer Richard Toland entered a plea agreement that resulted in a 15-year prison sentence for causing the death of a heroin user. Sobbing, Toland told a judge: “I feel bad that I hurt that man. I was being greedy. ... Whatever time I get, I deserve it.”
The prospect of facing serious jail time became less likely for Penn State University Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers, if found guilty in a case connecting them to the alcohol-death this year of sophomore pledge Tim Piazza. A Centre County district judge dismissed the most serious charges — involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault — to result from the death of Mr. Piazza, who was encouraged to drink heavily at a pledge party before suffering a fall and fatal head injury. Instead, 14 frat brothers will face trial on lesser charges of hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors.
Mr. Piazza’s parents were reported to be stunned by the judge’s decision, but a defense attorney defended it. “Yes, there’s excessive drinking on college campuses,” Theodore Simon said. “That does not transform it into criminal behavior.”