In 2017, nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid overdoses. There were 5,456 drug-related overdose deaths in Pennsylvania alone — twice the national average.
Last month, Republican Congressman Dan Meuser of Luzerne County proposed the Family Support Services for Addiction Act (FSSAA) that would create a $25 million grant program to aid local and national nonprofit organizations who provide family support services for addiction treatment.
Appearing on Friday’s Smart Talk to discuss the proposed legislation and substance use disorder are Courtney Hunter, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs for the Center on Addiction, a national organization that recently merged with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and Drug Free Workplace PA educator Kathy Strain.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction you can visit drugfree.org or call the helpline at: 1-855-378-4373 or call 717-454-3100 for free resources from the Drug Free Workplace PA.
Also, the spellers who scored the highest on the written portion of WITF’s Central Pennsylvania Spelling Bee now move on to the WITF Grand Spelling Bee this weekend. The Bee takes place on February 22 at the WITF Public Media Center. The recorded competition will air on WITF TV on March 1, 4 and 6. (Visit WITF Schedule for broadcast times).
Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the spelling bee is Ruth Keim, WITF’s Spelling Bee Coordinator.
In honor of the Grand Spelling Bee, WITF’s PaPost reporter Ed Mahon, WITF’s Audio Specialist Joe Ulrich, along with WITF Digital Manager Lisa Wardle, try their hands at spelling on Friday’s Smart Talk.
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