Butler’s opioid addiction and overdose epidemic has attracted the attention of State Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Shapiro traveled to Butler County Wednesday to meet with local law enforcement, elected officials and medical personnel.
“I think this is the top public health threat in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “We are losing 13 Pennsylvanians a day, each and every day, to the heroin and opioid crisis.”
Shapiro said it would take a “multi-disciplinary approach” to fight the drug epidemic but he is focused on several specific things: destroying unused prescription drugs, holding pharmaceutical companies accountable, possible revisions to the Good Samaritan Law and arresting and prosecuting drug dealers.
“That dealer should be held accountable for the death of the user,” he said.
Thursday is National Opioid Overdose Prevention Day. Butler County is hosting several events in observation, including a free forum beginning at noon in Diamond Park in downtown Butler, across from the Butler County Courthouse.
Friday begins National Recovery Month.
