Regarding the letter “Will grant pay for drug awareness?” (Aug. 5, TribLIVE): Overdose deaths in Westmoreland County decreased significantly in the last 19 months due to the Drug Overdose Task Force and its director, Tim Phillips. We have estimated that it costs the county $3,000 for each drug overdose investigation by the coroner’s office.
So, let’s do the math: 71 less overdose deaths in 2018 adds up to a reduction of $213,000 of taxpayers’ money from the coroner’s budget alone. Our county controller estimated that in 2016, Westmoreland County spent over $18 million on drug-related problems. This includes the district attorney, prison, probation/parole, coroner, etc.
I commend all three county commissioners for retaining Phillips. I guess I value life at more than $91,000.
Ken Bacha
Greensburg
The writer is Westmoreland County coroner.