DelcoReviewSummer2017 - 29

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Say No to Drugs
Pictured (L to R): Ray McKinney; Delaware County Senior Medical Advisor Dr. George Avetian; Criminal Investigation
Division Chief Joe Ryan; Delaware County Sheriff Mary McFall Hopper; District Attorney Jack Whelan; Councilman Mike
Culp; Councilman Dave White; and Delaware County Executive Director Marianne Grace.
JUNE 2017

fficials in Delaware County have a new tool in their
fight against the opioid epidemic as a new drug collection vehicle debuted in Media. Co-chairs of the Delaware County Heroin Task Force District Attorney Jack Whelan
and Councilman Dave White were joined by members of the
Heroin Task Force to unveil the new Delco Drug Collection Van
and mobile drug drop boxes which are part of the Heroin Task
Force Mobile Drug Collection Unit that is going out in the community to help safely remove dangerous drugs from homes.
The CDC estimates that 89 people die every day from an
opioid-related overdose in the U.S. Delaware County has had
101 drug-related deaths, with 91 of those deaths being opioidrelated, in 2017 so far, according to the county. In addition to
mobile boxes, the county has 40 secure, permanent Medicine
Drop Boxes at nearly all of the police departments and the Government Center in Media. Since 2013, more than 15,560 pounds
of prescription drugs have been collected through the program
which provides a convenient and environmentally responsible
prescription drug disposal option for the residents.
County officials are working the health systems to install
drug drop boxes at area hospitals. Drug drop boxes are currently
located at Crozer-Keystone Medical Center and Riddle Hospital.
Officials are also working with providers to expand access to
addiction treatment. Earlier this year, Delaware County worked
with Crozer to launch First Steps Treatment Center. Supported
by more than $940,000 in funding from Delaware County
Council, Crozer opened First Steps Treatment Center, a 52-bed
center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, dedicated to
comprehensively addressing the detoxification and rehabilitation
needs of residents in Delaware County and the region.
In 2016, County Council launched the Delaware County
Certified Recovery Specialist Program, which connects residents
who have overdosed to treatment and resources. Three Recovery
Specialists, managed by Crozer-Keystone, are available to assist
residents around the clock. Residents can reach a Certified Recovery Specialist by calling (610) 497-7278.
In addition to focusing on recovery and prevention, county
officials are also emphasizing the importance of education and
raising awareness among youth about the dangers of prescrip-

tion drugs. By making the mobile drug drop boxes available at
community events, people now have another way to safely and
anonymously dispose of drugs. Organizations, businesses and
municipal leaders in Delaware County can call the Delaware
County Heroin Task Force to schedule this van free of charge by
calling the District Attorney's Criminal Investigation Division
(CID) at (610) 891-7869.
Visit the Heroin Task Force website for more information
and a list of drug drop locations.
http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/heroin/index.html

Robert DeLong, Esq.
Estate Planning,
Administr ation & Probate
Elder Law
17 Veter ans Square
Post Office Box 604
MediA, Pennsylvania 19063
Phone: 610.627.5865
Fax: 610.627.5867
Email:
RobertDeLongEsq@gmail.com

Summer 2017

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