Anyone Can Become Addicted. Anyone.
The United States is in the midst of an epidemic of opiate overdose and addiction. Overdose deaths from prescription painkillers have quadrupled since 1999, and deaths from heroin have tripled in the last five years. Pennsylvania has a higher overdose rate than most states. In Pennsylvania and around the country, opiate addiction affects men and women of all ages, races, and geographic locations. Anyone can become addicted.
The Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. stands ready to provide education, support and resources, so that together we can reduce the prescription medication and heroin epidemic. We have “Overdose Prevention Toolkits” available which include a variety of resources to help spread awareness and to educate others about medication misuse, abuse and addiction. Please review the materials and use those most relevant to your family, community, agency, etc. We encourage you to display and distribute these resources wherever you can at your place of work or in your community. Materials can be posted on websites, linked to social media, and printed in waiting areas, bulletin boards, etc.
Use the #BucksBringsHope to share your efforts and whenever you see these materials in Bucks County! We will share your postings in an effort to raise community awareness.
What Can You Do To Help Fight the Opiate Epidemic In Bucks County?
- You can dispose of any expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs. Bucks County has already collected over 30 tons of prescription drugs. There are over 30 permanent medication collection boxes countywide. Click here for a listing of locations Medication Collection Permanent Box Sites
- You can impact drug and alcohol use by spreading the word on awareness campaigns. Visit pastop.org and download the free materials—share with co-workers, friends and family PA Stop Materials
- You can show your support for the campaign by displaying a PA Stop web banner to your website, signature lines, or utilize one of the video or audio public service announcements. PA Stop Video PSA
- You can get involved and become more educated. There is a county wide collaborative effort, Bucks County Overdose and Prevention Education (BCOPE) whose mission is to promote awareness, encourage further action and provide information and education to all audiences- visit the BCOPE Calendar for a listing of opiate-related events and meetings in Bucks County and more information on how to get involved
- If you are looking for information about accessing treatment please see our Resources for Residents
For Further Information, Call:
Mallory Showalter at 215-444-2785
mlshowalter@buckscounty.org