More than 40 people already have lost their lives this year to heroin in York County. It’s an epidemic that’s showing no signs of letting up. The York County Heroin Task Force held its second town hall meeting Wednesday night in the hope that steps taken now may curb the crisis.
Recovering
Tanner Rohrbaugh is a recovering heroin addict. “I dropped out of college because all of this started happening. It started with other drugs and then led up to heroin. A bunch of people are dying around me,” said Tanner. He’s been clean for six months and says meetings like this help keep him straight. “You’ll never be able to get the heroin out of here, but for the people who do want help you can go to places like this and get the help.”
Tanner’s mom has been following the Heroin Task Force since its inception. “What they’re doing is wonderful. They’re very honest about the fact that, hey, this is new, and this is a huge problem, it’s bigger than all of us. But they’re willing to do this in their own free time and I think that says something about them,” said Alyssa Rohrbaugh.
Personal Crusade
York County Coroner Pamela Gay is a member of the Heroin Task Force who has helped lead the charge. "I personally have opiate addiction in my family, that also motivates me. We have all seen these deaths in our office. It`s very concerning we see young people dying that shouldn't be dying. They should be living their lives out," said Gay. " We want to try to decrease these deaths. To try and get individuals themselves to hopefully take back their communities."
FOX43's Evan Forrester moderate the town hall meeting.
For more information on the Heroin Task Force, and resources, click here.
