Rep. John Taylor Hosts Drug Educational Meeting in Mayfair

Mayfair families learned from Rep. John Taylor how to protect their families from the growing drug problem plaguing many families at a meeting he hosted.

Rep. John Taylor… keeping addictions from happening.

“The best way to fight this growing epidemic is through a better understanding of how drug abuse begins and how to fight it through education,” Taylor said. “That’s why these meetings are so important and why I will continue hosting these throughout our district.”

Taylor kicked off the meeting by showing the video “Some Goodbyes are Forever,” which chronicles the impact of illegal and prescription drug abuse on the community which can now be treated by experts in Virginia.

Kathy Berry, who lost her 17-year-old daughter, Karen, to a drug overdose in 1998, argued that drug abuse happens in every corner of our community.  She was joined by Virginia Pagano of Project Stay Smart.  They warned about the dangers of gateway drugs.

“Everyone thinks marijuana and drinking are just a phase,” Taylor said. “They are not.  They frequently introduce our kids to the harder drugs that claim lives.”

Berry and Pagano argued that early education is the key to saving lives.  It’s why they visit elementary schools.  “Principals must have drug education in school,” Taylor said. 

Robert N. Dellavella, CEO of the non-hospital residential facility Self Help Center, discussed how it treats the needs of the community.

“Alcohol and drug addiction does not discriminate by age, race or economic status,” Taylor said.  “It is devastating to both the individual fighting the disease and those surrounding them.

John Cooper, a recovering addict at Self Help, argued that the community must focus on reducing the stigma attached to drug addiction and recovery, while Mary Doherty, managing director of CORA’s community services division, discussed the need to help kids in recovery who return to school and come face to face with their drug dealers.

Doherty argued for the need for support services to prevent relapse.  She wants to establish schools, like the Philadelphia Bridge Way School, which is designed to help students continue their recovery.

Sgt. Andy Callaghan of the FBI task force’s Violent Gang and Drug Squad outlined how the drug problem is evolving with prescription drug abuse leading to greater heroin abuse. Jason Visirov, owner and pharmacist of First Class Pharmacy, discussed how some doctors and pharmacists are complicating the problem by not stopping patients who are “doctor shopping” to receive their drugs.

Elvis Rosado, a case manager with Prevention Point Philadelphia discussed the use of the drug narcan to reverse the effects of heroin on those who have overdosed.  He also shared his story of struggling with addiction since age 11 and his sobriety after the birth of his son 20 years ago.

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