Dirk Matson, Ph.D. Director of Human Services Westmoreland County - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dirk Matson, Ph.D. Director of Human Services Westmoreland County

U.S. comprises 4.6% of world ’ s population, yet consumes 99% of the hydrocodone supply

Rates of Prescription Painkiller Sales, Deaths and Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions (1999-2010) National Vital Statistics System, 1999-2008; Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),1999-2010; Treatment Episode Data Set, 1999-2009 .

Westmoreland County Statistics

Westmoreland County Statistics

Westmoreland County Statistics

What Westmoreland County knows about the people who are dying Root Cause Analysis • 71% of deaths occurred at victim’s residence • 9 families reported previous overdoses • 68% male, 32% female • 97% white, 2% Black • 65% had legal charges 58% were incarcerated at County prison 21% incarcerated 4X or more

 This is a public health epidemic , not only a law enforcement problem.  Why is this distinction important?  It is everybody’s problem -- not just the victims’ families or law enforcement.

Westmoreland County Drug Overdose Task Force  Public Awareness: Get In Campaign  Political Advocacy  Criminal Justice  Treatment  Health Care Education Health Care Education

THANK YOU! • Westmoreland County Human Service Website :  www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/hs • Get In Website:  www. getinwestmoreland.org • Dirk Matson:  (724) 830-3663  dmatson@co.westmoreland.pa.us