Drug prevention event
One of the most serious problems affecting our commonwealth is the opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control tell us that from 1999 to 2016, more than 630,000 people have died from a drug overdose. My friend and colleague, Josh Shapiro, our attorney general, reminds us that the heroin and opioid epidemic is the №1 public health and safety challenge facing Pennsylvania. An average of 14 Pennsylvanians die every day from overdose, and the death toll will only continue to rise.
The disease of addiction does not discriminate based on race, age, gender, economic status or locale. Many of us can say substance abuse has touched our lives directly or know of someone whoes life has been affected by substance abuse. Often, it can be a challenge to access supports and resources for prevention, treatment and recovery services. I have personally assisted many families in getting a loved one into recovery or in supporting a loved one struggling with addiction. At the request of families in our community, I am hosting a H.O.P.E. (Heroin Opioid Prevention Education) Expo and Overdose Awareness Walk on Sept. 30.
This important event will give our community an opportunity to celebrate recovery as well as to help families obtain information about helping a loved one struggling with addiction. Please join us on Sunday, Sept. 30, at St. Alphonsus Church, 33 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen. Registration is at 1 p.m., and our program will begin at 1:30. Our event will take place rain or shine.
State Rep. Tom Murt
A lack of responsibility
Upon reading a newspaper ad for a back-to-school supply drive for Philadelphia public schools, asking for donations of critically needed supplies that include pencils, pens, copy paper, etc., my ire was ignited, seeing this print copy asking for people to donate school items.
I questioned why the students’ parents are not providing for their children, just as my parents provided for me the school supplies required for the year? Why aren’t parents taking responsibility for their children? Breakfast and lunch are already provided to public school children, and I know a hungry child cannot learn. But why are we asked to shoulder more responsibility for those who don’t accept their responsibility?
Lorraine Kolibabek
Walton Park
Thanks for helping dad
I am writing this letter to express my sincere gratitude for all the help that I received from Congressman Brendan Boyle’s staff on behalf of my 95-year-old dad.
My dad is a proud World War II/U.S. Army-decorated veteran and retired postal carrier, living in Tacony. In the process of putting all of his personal affairs in order, it was necessary to deal with the federal Office of Personnel Management. Frustrating is the mild term I will use in my dealings with OPM over the last 12 months. After trying unsuccessfully calling the 800 number on many occasions, I wrote several letters explaining what information my dad was looking for and always getting a returned form letter, giving me instructions not even closely related to the ask.
Finally, I decided to pay a visit to Boyle’s office in the Northeast, spoke to his staff who fully understood what I was asking for, took copies of all the documents and to my amazement, got the information back to us in three weeks. Wow. On behalf of our dad, William R. Seybold, and entire family, we want to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the congressman and his staff for cutting through all the government red tape and helping us out. I would not hesitate to reach out to the congressman again to seek his help and counsel.
Bill Seybold
Tacony
Anger is misplaced
The following Letter to the Editor is in response to, “Good priests have been tainted by editorial cartoon,” by Patricia Birney, published in the Northeast Times on Sept. 19:
I don’t understand the anger toward the cartoonist who brought light toward the disgusting acts by vile priests. I feel like you should be more angry at your parishes and churches for the abuse they allowed. They didn’t do anything but ship them off somewhere else to do more harm.
You’re going to demand an apology from a newspaper over a cartoon. How about demanding one from the Catholic churches that housed these sickos who we’re supposed to be men of God.
Thomas Henesey
Mayfair
