The Chester County Commissioners recently presented a $20,000 check to Vince Brown, Director of the County’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, as further endorsement of the commitment to fight the opioid and heroin crisis in Chester County.

The money, which is part of the Commissioners’ appropriations funds, will support the County’s new Community Outreach and Prevention Education (COPE) initiative, borne out of the Chester County Overdose Prevention Task Force.

COPE will provide:

• one-to-one support for overdose survivors and their families and friends
• overdose prevention information and outreach to first responders, hospital staff, family members, and friends
• expedited admission into detox and a review of all treatment options for overdose survivors who agree to treatment

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Chester County’s commitment to tackling the opioid and heroin epidemic is evident in the intensive health, education, treatment, and law enforcement measures coordinated by the Overdose Prevention Task Force.

The County’s Color 5K – being held in West Chester on Saturday, Nov. 4 – is a high-profile event that is helping raise awareness, as well as funds, to combat the addiction issue.

“The sad fact is that this awful epidemic is claiming more lives, and we have already surpassed our death toll for last year,” said Michelle Kichline, Chair of the Chester County Commissioners. “Compared with other areas of the state or nation, Chester County may have fewer people abusing opioids and heroin, but deaths related to overdose are up 38 percent in Chester County for the first half of this year compared to 2016.

“And as of the end of September, 103 lives were lost to overdose here – deaths that most likely began with a prescription for opioid pain and ended with buying heroin on the street.”

Click here for more information on Saturday’s Color 5K.

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