With a heroin crisis continuing to challenge communities across the state, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) visited Lycoming County, where drug-related overdose deaths have increased dramatically in the past year. Casey, joined by Williamsport Police Chief David Young and Dr. John N. Boll Jr., Assistant Director of the Williamsport Family Medicine Center, addressed the federal responsibility to allocate more funding and attention to prevention of drug abuse and rehabilitation for individuals struggling with substance abuse, and criminal jurisdiction surrounding drug trafficking, while also highlighting his own efforts to combat the deadly issue of opioid abuse.
Senator Casey successfully fought for the inclusion of two measures in the recently-passed Comprehensive Addiction and Recover Act (CARA) that will help address the impact of opioids on vulnerable children and teens. The Infant Plan of Safe Care Improvement Act would improve the plans of safe care for helpless infants affected by drug or alcohol use, and the John Thomas Decker Act would require a study and report on information given to young athletes about dangers of opioid abuse and alternative treatments to sports injuries.
A photo posted by Senator Bob Casey (@senbobcasey) on
