LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The opioid epidemic in northeastern Pennsylvania continues to plague local communities and claim the lives of people from all walks of life. Luzerne County is ramping up its efforts to address opioid use.
The mission is to save lives by getting drugs off the streets and putting a potentially life-saving tool in the hands of the public.
"You know what we are seeing is opioid abuse is still as prevalent as it ever was and sometimes it's hard to imagine that people are untouched by it," said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce says rarely does a day go by that his detectives don't hear about and investigate an opioid-related crime or concern.
He's holding a special effort at the Luzerne County Courthouse on Saturday, October 26, to bring awareness to the problem. It's all part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
"People are leaving prescription drugs around the house. We don't want them in the water supply. We don't want children to get a hold of them. So we do several programs throughout the year. We'll take your prescription drugs and have them destroyed," Sanguedolce added.
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They will be handing out the life-saving Narcan spray which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
"We have it in all of our cars at the county because you know, you never know when or where you're going to encounter it and it could potentially save someone's life," Sanguedolce explained.
Jason Harlen has been on the front lines of the substance abuse fight for decades as an addiction counselor. He runs Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services.
"We continue to see a steady flow unfortunately in this building every day of people who have an issue with opioids. We're attacking it as a community as an organization, but it's still out there. People are overdosing in the US, Pennsylvania, it's still a nightmare right in our communities," Harlen said.
The event will be held on Saturday, October 26, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. behind the Luzerne County Courthouse.
Sanguedolce says they will hand out Narcan to anybody who requests it: No questions asked. It's all about saving lives.
