Press Release
Spotlight PA Elevates Voices in Pennsylvania’s Opioid Crisis
READING, PA – Jessica Berry’s journey through addiction highlights a growing concern in Pennsylvania: the devastating toll of the opioid crisis. Speaking candidly at an April forum hosted by Spotlight PA, Berry shared her struggles with alcohol and fentanyl and the impact on her family, including the temporary loss of her daughter. “It broke my heart,” she reflected, emphasizing the urgent need for community support and compassion in addressing addiction.
As part of the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2024 Data Fellowship, Spotlight PA reporter Ed Mahon explored Pennsylvania’s drug addiction crisis while investigating the allocation of the state’s opioid settlement funds, anticipated to be around $2 billion over two decades. Despite the potential for meaningful change, significant public debate has emerged over how these funds will be spent, often limiting community involvement.
Mahon’s engagement effort, bolstered by collaboration with experts from the fellowship, aimed to empower affected individuals. Through an online questionnaire, they gathered 75 personal stories that were showcased during the forum, fostering open dialogue about the crisis.
The event resonated with attendees, setting a precedent for more public engagement in decision-making. Changes are already being seen in Pennsylvania’s opioid trust, which plans to hold a public listening session later this year.
Moreover, the launch of an interactive database enabled residents to track local spending of settlement funds, prompting community advocacy for transparency. Berry advocated for investments in harm reduction and early intervention to ensure every individual struggling with addiction has access to necessary resources.
Reflecting on her experience, Berry emphasized, “We need to make smarter, compassionate choices as a community,” underscoring the vital role of community voices in shaping responses to the opioid epidemic.
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