ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE Q & A SESSION

ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, INC. TO HOLD Q & A SESSION FOR OPIATE/HEROIN EPIDEMIC

Ridgway, PA – We’ve all heard about heroin taking the lives of our community members…some of which may be friends, some may be family members, or acquaintances. Regardless of our relationship, we are all affected by the current heroin epidemic, and the overdose deaths continue to increase. Deaths from heroin have tripled in the last five years. Pennsylvania has a higher overdose rate than most states. We’ve all also heard many radio commercials indicating why our youth first starting using heroin/opiates in the first place. One of those reasons identified was the lack of knowledge about drugs in general. ADAS is committed to providing that knowledge and is taking it a step further for our community.

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, Inc. (ADAS) will hold a question and answer session about the opiate/heroin epidemic at the Cameron County High School on April 26, 2016 at 6:00pm and at the North Central building on May 17, 2016 at 6:00pm for all to attend. This event is open to the general public; anyone and everyone who is interested in learning more about heroin/opiates along with what services are available to a drug user and/or their families.

Anyone can become addicted to heroin and/or prescription pain pills…Anyone… Addiction does not discriminate against race, gender, ethnicity, etc. There is no one way to prevent addiction, other than education and prevention efforts to inform people to never start.

Prescription pain pills (Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin) are all used to treat pain, but are highly addictive. Many people are prescribed prescription pain pills for legitimate uses, however, when that prescription runs out, many are still left with not only pain, but now withdrawal to deal with. This is when the user will look for another way to treat the pain and withdrawal…Some may ask friends or acquaintances and others look to the streets, which is where the heroin comes into play.

So rather than turning a blind eye or thinking that it doesn’t exist, why not become educated and work with community officials to stop this epidemic. Please take the time to attend this much needed event.

For more information contact Lisa Cherry at (814) 788-2080 or cherryl@adasonline.org or visit www.adasonline.org.

Alcohol &  Drug Abuse Services, Inc. is The Single County Authority (SCA) for Cameron, Elk, and McKean Counties. ADAS, Inc. provides direct services as well as contracts with the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programming (BDAP). Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc. provides Inpatient, Outpatient, Prevention, and Case Management Services.