Sen. Casey Campaigns Against Heroin In Norristown

People are dying from heroin, and politicians are starting to notice.

Before a crowd at Gaudenzia, a treatment and recovery center in Norristown, Sen. Bob Casey announced his support his new legislation that would improve funding to substance abuse prevention and treatment programs.

During 2015, about $1.8 billion was spent on the grant. Casey’s bill would tack on over a billion to the program, raising funding to $2.27 billion, he announced.

“We’re here to talk about a terribly difficult subject to make progress on, and that’s the dark night of addiction whether it’s opioid addiction or heroin addition,” Casey told the assembled crowd. “The state coroners association tells us that in just five years, from 2009 to 2014, the number of overdose deaths in this state went from 47 to 800. I’ve never seen a number like that in any field of study or similar treatment or public policy area.”

Casey cited statistics that showed that drug overdoes in Pennsylvania surpass deaths from car accidents.

He said that across the country in 2013, 2.4 million Americans abused or were dependent on opioids, while only half of that number received treatment.

Casey’s leglislation is entitled the Treatment and Recovery Investment Act, currently known as Senate Bill 1410.

“The uptick in heroin abuse has had tragic results for communities throughout our state,” Casey added. “We can’t stand by while the disease of addiction cuts short promising lives and tears families apart. I’m hopeful that Congress will move forward on this legislation in the coming months.”

Image courtesy of the office of Sen. Bob Casey.