Skip Navigation

Helping families struggling with substance use disorder

Plus, WITF employees attempt a spelling bee of their own

  • Smart Talk
  • Alexandra Stein
Cropped shot of a young woman taking medication at home

 iStock

Cropped shot of a young woman taking medication at home

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. 

Kathy Strain, educator for Drug Free Workplace PA, appears on Smart Talk on

Alexandra Stein

Kathy Strain, educator for Drug Free Workplace PA, appears on Smart Talk on February 21, 2020.

Courtney Hunter, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs for the Center on Addiction, appears on Smart Talk

Drug Free Workplace PA

Courtney Hunter, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs for the Center on Addiction, appears on Smart Talk on February 21, 2020.

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.   

WITF staff appear on Smart Talk on February 21, 2020. Staff members from left to right: Ed Mahon (top left), Joe Ulrich, Ruth Keim, Scott LaMar (bottom left), and Lisa Wardle (bottom right).

Alexandra Stein

WITF staff appear on Smart Talk on February 21, 2020. Staff members from left to right: Ed Mahon (top left), Joe Ulrich, Ruth Keim, Scott LaMar (bottom left), and Lisa Wardle (bottom right).

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Up Next
Smart Talk

Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection