Join us for an in-person discussion on how the opioid crisis impacts families and statewide systems, and how those affected want to use state settlement funds.
By Spotlight PA Staff
Photo courtesy of Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PA
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Hundreds of millions of dollars from opioid settlements have flowed into Pennsylvania to help the state respond to an epidemic that kills thousands of people each year — and even more money is expected in the years to come.
But members of the public, including people who have lost loved ones to overdose deaths, have been routinely shut out of having a meaningful say in how the money should be spent. The crisis has deeply affected families, increased risks for children, and added pressure to agencies responsible for investigating cases of abuse and neglect.
In our reporting, we’ve heard from parents, advocates, and other community members who want greater transparency and a larger role in these settlement decisions. Now we’re continuing those conversations.
Join us for a live discussion on how the opioid epidemic has affected families, and how they want to see the settlement money used. We’ll hear directly from those impacted by the issue and share tools that have increased transparency and accountability. We encourage our audience to share their stories to their comfort level and try to gain new perspectives from listening to others.
Who:
- Ed Mahon, investigative reporter, Spotlight PA
- Cathleen Palm, founder, Center for Children’s Justice
- Kathleen Strain, manager of advocacy and peer services, Partnership to End Addiction
When: Thursday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Register for the event here.
Where: Berks Community Health Center, 1110 Rockland St, Reading, PA 19604.
Any questions or concerns can be directed to events@spotlightpa.org.
The event will be in partnership with Center for Children’s Justice, Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network, Partnership to End Addiction, and Berks Community Health Center, who will offer local and state resources related to addiction and family support services.
This event is made possible in part by an engagement grant by the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2024 Data Fellowship.
This event will be photographed and recorded. If you do not wish to be photographed, please notify a staff member.
» Spotlight PA’s events operate on a “pay-what-you-can” honor system. If you value this public-service event, pay it forward and contribute any amount to Spotlight PA now so we can keep our programming free for everyone: spotlightpa.org/donate.
BEFORE YOU GO… If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
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Source: bctv