Cropped shot of a young woman taking medication at home
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Helping families struggling with substance use disorder
Plus, WITF employees attempt a spelling bee of their own
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Smart Talk -
Alexandra Stein
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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.
Alexandra Stein
Kathy Strain, educator for Drug Free Workplace PA, appears on Smart Talk on February 21, 2020.
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.
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).
