Communities in Dauphin County are working to discuss the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and overdose deaths in the area.
Local teens acted out the tragic consequences of drug abuse and overdose during a drug prevention meeting at the Greater Missionary Baptist Church in Susquehanna Township. It's part of the prevention plan called "#T.U.R.N." which stand for "Teach, Uplift, Reach, Now." Wednesday's meeting provided local medical professionals, law enforcement officers, elected officials and educators with information to take back to their communities.
"It's an epidemic, legally it is an epidemic," President and CEO of Project Lazarus Fred Brason said. "Unless something is done about it, obviously it's not going to go away and we've been in that status for about 10 years. So, this isn't an overnight process, and it's going to take time, but it takes the entire community to do it. "
Officials say the goal of the meeting was to help communities develop strategies and prevention plans in Dauphin County to address drug issues to change and save lives.
Narcan was one of topics brought up during the meeting. The drug is a potentially life-saving heroin overdose antidote which police in Dauphin County and elsewhere can now carry.