Baldwin-Whitehall To Host Opioid Epidemic Town Hall

BALDWIN, PA - Baldwin-Whitehall School District will hold a town hall meeting addressing the opioid epidemic, with featured speakers including a physician, a Drug Enforcement Administration official and Baldwin and Whitehall law enforcement and EMs officials.

Assistant Superintendent Denise Sedlacek said the district’s goal is to educate students, parent and other community members on the dangers of addiction, ways to prevent it before it starts and ways to help addicts obtain the treatment they need.

“Losing a loved one to a preventable addiction is a pain that no family or community should have to endure,” Sedlacek said in a district release. “This epidemic won’t end without our empathy, our vigilance, and our sustained investment in each other’s well-being.”

Baldwin High School graduate and former Cleveland Brown offensive lineman Jason Pinkston will emcee the event, which occurs May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

Addiction and emergency medical specialist Dr. C.Thomas Brophy will have a presentation explaining what opiates are, where they come from and their effects on the body and brain. Joe Moses of the DEA will offer data on the impact of the opioid epidemic.

Also speaking at the event will be Baldwin Police Chief Michael Scott, Whitehall Police Chief Keith Henderson, Baldwin Township Police Chief Terrence O’Brien, Chief Todd Pritchard of the Medical Rescue Team South and Baldwin EMS Chief Todd Plunkett.

The event will conclude with Baldwin High School graduate Brianna Stanick sharing her journey from addiction to recovery.

Free childcare for the event is available upon request.

Image via Shutterstock.