Lawmakers to Gather Testimony on PA’s Drug Epidemic in Pittsburgh
WHAT: Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature are joining forces to attempt to tackle the state’s opioid crisis.
Led by Chair of the House Majority Policy Committee Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and Chair of the House Minority Policy Committee Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), members of the House of Representatives and state Senate are traveling the Commonwealth to gather testimony about the growing drug epidemic and how it is impacting communities. At the conclusion of the tour, the joint committee will make legislative and policy recommendations for the Legislature to consider when it reconvenes this fall for a special session on the opioid crisis.
The eight-stop tour will kick off in Western Pennsylvania, with hearings scheduled in Venango County, Pittsburgh and Westmoreland County. The second of these hearings, hosted by Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) will be held at the Allegheny County Courthouse.
WHO: Members of the House and Senate policy committees, including Benninghoff, Sturla, Gainey, Chair of the Senate Minority Policy Committee Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), and Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny).
Testifiers will include: Marc Cherna, director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services; Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, administrator, Allegheny County Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services; Abby Wilson, deputy director for public policy and community relations, Allegheny County Health Department; Amy Shanahan, clinical administrator of addiction medicine services, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC; and representatives from the state Office of Attorney General: Renee Martin, director of education and outreach; Becky Berkebile, director of drug control programs; and Stephanie Chupka, special agent, intelligence unit.
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Allegheny County Council Gold Room, Allegheny County Courthouse, 4th Floor, 436 Grant St., Pittsburgh.
WATCH LIVE: Barring technical difficulties, the hearing will be live-streamed at
pagoppolicy.com and
PAHouseGOP.com.
Media contact: Morgan Wagner, mwagner@pahousegop.com
House Policy Committees
PAGOPPolicy.com
pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee