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The SOS Berks Healthcare & Treatment Subcommittee recently organized a luncheon for leaders in the Black community, inviting them to hear a presentation and offer input into how to reduce overdose deaths among African Americans in Berks County. The event was attended by about 17 people, and was held on June 18, in coordination with Juneteenth.
Research indicates that the Black community is more negatively impacted by overdose deaths than others, both nationally and in Berks County. The event included a presentation which included data showing that while overdose deaths are on the decline in general, they continue to rise among African Americans. It also included a NARCAN demonstration and information on how to get free NARCAN kits from the Council on Chemical Abuse.
Following the presentation, which took place at the Berks RISE Center, participants engaged in a discussion, offering thoughts and ideas on how to prevent substance abuse, eliminate overdose deaths, and get more people into treatment and, perhaps most importantly, how to eliminate barriers to lifesaving services.
Click Here for PowerPoint Presentation
