Reading, PA — The Berks County Commissioners will host a Media and Public Update program on Wednesday, March 31, 2020 at 3:30 PM on Microsoft Teams Live Event. Click here to find the link to this meeting. This week’s program will focus on one of the often-overlooked hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic – the impact it has had on the opioid and overdose crisis and the response efforts from local entities. Members of the Council on Chemical Abuse will lead the discussion with the commissioners, members of local law enforcement and addiction recovery specialists. This Press Event will also be streamed Live to the Berks County Facebook page and BCTV.
Welcome – Commissioner Christian Leinbach
Comments – Commissioner Michael Rivera
Comments – Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt
Introduction of the Panel – Commissioner Barnhardt
• Stanley Papademetriou – Executive Director, Council on Chemical Abuse
• John Adams – Berks County District Attorney
• Jonn Hollenbach – Acting Berks County Coroner
• Dr. William Santoro – Chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine, Tower Health
• Yvonne Stroman – Community Programs Specialist, Council on Chemical Abuse
The Panel will address the following topics:
1) What is the nature and the extent of the opioid/overdose crisis, especially here in Berks County? This discussion will include such areas as: what are and where do people get opioid drugs; availability of the drugs; and overdose death rates.
2) How has Berks County responded to this opioid/overdose crisis? This discussion will include responses from: law enforcement; healthcare; substance use system; and community response.
3) How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the opioid/overdose crisis? This discussion will include: the availability of drugs; rates of overdose deaths; individuals’ ability to access and receive treatment and other services.
4) Questions and Answers – Facilitated by Commissioner Barnhardt
