Naloxone distribution, drug takeback set for Rostraver state police station
A drive-thru naloxone distribution is set for this weekend in Rostraver through the Mon Valley Opioid Coalition and Pennsylvania State Police.
The distribution will be held outside the Belle Vernon state police station at 560 Circle Drive from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday. Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s spring Drug Take Back Day. Anyone can drop off unwanted, unused or expired prescription medication at the state police station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The take back day is being held at locations nationwide Saturday. Several police departments around the region typically participate in the event, which is held twice a year. To find a drop off location near you, use the search tool here.
DEA officials said drug overdose deaths have been increasing in recent months, accelerating during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. In December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning that more than 81,000 people died from a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending in May 2020, a record number.
Westmoreland County saw a slight increase in the number of drug overdose deaths in 2020, according to coroner statistics. In 2020, there were 123 overdose deaths in the county compared to 115 the previous year.
In Fayette County, there were 21 overdose deaths in 2020, down from the previous year’s total of 37 deaths, according to OverdoseFreePA.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.
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