The Upper Perk Valley Citizens Drug Task Force met for the first time July 28 to discuss the breadth of heroin and prescription drug addiction issues in the region and to begin crafting a plan to address the problem.

                Law enforcement officials have identified 15 overdoses from heroin or other opioids in the valley so far this year, according to Jamie Lavin, a corporal with the Upper Perk Police District, who led the 90-minute meeting. Lavin said 2,525 people died from an opioid overdose in Pennsylvania in 2013.  "I'm sure that figure has risen [since then]," he added.

                The task force comprises a wide range of public officials from Pennsburg, Red Hill, East Greenville, Green Lane, Marlborough, Upper Hanover, the Upper Perkiomen School District, The Perkiomen School, the Penn Foundation, the Upper Perkiomen Chamber of Commerce, the Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA and the ambulance association, as well as District Judge Catherine Hummel Fried.

                "I'm very happy everyone is here," Lavin said. He stressed the urgency of the problems facing the region, noting that anyone can become addicted to opioids.

                He spoke of a confidential informant, with three children, who became addicted to OxyContin in just three weeks after a shoulder injury. "You can get addicted pretty quickly," he said.

                Further, the cost of the drugs on the street is relatively inexpensive, according to Lavin. He said Percocet or OxyContin pills go for about $1 per milligram, while a bag of heroin costs $15.

                Debra Ryan, the director of community outreach for the Penn Foundation, discussed her experience with the Upper Bucks County Drug Task Force. She offered suggestions to promote the safe storage of prescription medication and educate the public.

                According to Ryan, opioid addiction, which can occur in less than three weeks, makes people "do things that are otherwise unthinkable." She said public education is a great place to start because there is no finger pointing.

                 Wilfred Pike III, a member of Upper Perkiomen School Board and a retired drug counselor, said one of his biggest goals was to overcome the "no-talk rule" between students, teachers and parents. "If we can get past that … we should be able to make some inroads," Pike said.

                According to Lavin, a significant number of drug suspects he arrests face a crucial four- to six-month period between the time they are arraigned and when they can begin receiving court-appointed treatment. Task force participants talked about ways to close the gaps in treatment availability.

                Tom Wielgus, the local YMCA's youth and family director, suggested the creation of a drug deferral program, which could be funded with state or county grant money. Hummel Fried said any new deferral program in her court would require the approval of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.  "It's a good idea," the judge said.

                The participants suggested the creation of six committees that would cover legislation, funding, prevention and education, community outreach, mentoring and the courts.

                They also suggested that a representative of Love Upper Perk, Open Link, Vets for Vets, the state police, a large employer, a clergy member, someone from a local hospital, a pharmacist, a recovering addict, parents and a high school student be invited to join the task force.

                Pike volunteered the auditorium at the Upper Perkiomen High School to host a public event in November to begin education and engagement efforts in the broader community.