Pubdate: Sat, 10 Aug 2002
Source: Times Leader (PA)
Copyright: 2002 The Times Leader
Contact:  http://www.leader.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/933
Author: Kalen Churcher

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

Forum Aspires To Create Rehabilitation-Focused County Court, Methadone Clinic

Dismayed by the number of people caught in the web of drug addiction and 
those dying from overdoses, a group of citizens has established a drug 
forum to discuss their concerns.

Carl Romanelli, vice chairman of the Citizens Drug Policy Forum of 
Northeastern Pennsylvania, said the group plans to tackle issues including 
creating a Luzerne County Drug Court and local methadone treatment center, 
verifying that emergency medical technicians carry a drug overdose antidote 
and forming arrest-free zones and needle exchanges in hospital emergency rooms.

Although the wish list might seem daunting, local drug and alcohol 
officials and a doctor say some of the concepts are already in place.

Emergency services agreed in 1998 to carry a counteractive drug to use on 
overdose victims, said Michael Donahue of Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Drug and 
Alcohol Program. The agreement stemmed from work done by the Luzerne County 
Heroin Task Force, which hasn't been meeting as often as in the past. Known 
commonly as Narcan, the antidote reverses respiratory depression and sedation.

"It has been in place," Donahue said. "Do I know that firsthand (it is 
being used) No. But since it's been in place they've been able to use the 
Narcan."

Arrest-free hospital zones also are in place, although not specifically 
referred to as such. Dr. Keith Vrabec, a Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical 
Center emergency room physician, said that in most cases patient 
confidentiality prohibits emergency personnel to contact police regarding 
overdoses.

When told the concepts already exist, Romanelli said that's what the forum 
is about - finding what kind of programs exist as well as what works and 
what doesn't.

Romanelli said he hopes a drug court would focus on rehabilitation and 
treatment. Lackawanna County has a similar program, created two years ago 
after a rash of fatal overdoses.

Lynn Barto, of Wyoming Valley Drug and Alcohol, said the Lackawanna County 
Treatment Court is successful, but said money is a limiting factor.

The remaining two issues - a needle exchange program and methadone clinic - 
are toward the more controversial end of the forum's drive. Donahue said 
discussions about a needle exchange program would have to involve infection 
control specialists.

As for a methadone clinic, "We continue to work on that one," Donahue said. 
"No one has stopped addressing that issue."

Romanelli, who is an advocate for other causes, including the legalization 
of marijuana - which he prefers to call cannabis - stresses educators must 
be more truthful to children when explaining drugs' dangers. He said 
cannabis is safe.

Donahue does not support Romanelli's casual approach about marijuana 
regulation.

"We need to continue to educate the students in an honest manner as to the 
effects of cannabis," he said. "There are dangers to using cannabis that 
cannot be minimized."

The forum, whose founding members include Al Rende, of Project Restore; 
David Frey, of the Peace Center; and Robert Griffin, a Forty Fort 
psychologist, has a core group of about 12 and other participants exceeding 30.

The next meeting is slated for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First 
Presbyterian Church on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre and is open to 
anyone concerned about drug abuse.
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