ACT 69

Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO Diane Baldi was invited to join Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and State Senator Lisa Baker at a news conference in Wyoming County Friday to applaud approval of Act 69, a key step in helping law enforcement stem the flood of prescription drugs fueling the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. This new law allows hospice and home health workers to safely dispose of medications left behind following the death of hospice patients.

 

"This new law relieves grieving families of the burden of disposing of unused prescription drugs, and will help keep these drugs from falling into the wrong hands," Attorney General Shapiro said. "80 percent of persons addicted to heroin started by abusing prescription drugs, and over 70 percent of people who misuse prescription drugs get them from friends, relatives or a medicine cabinet."

 

"This law takes the burden of disposing of prescription drugs away from families and ensures that these medications don't fall into the wrong hands. It's another positive step in tackling the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania," said Diane Baldi.

General Shapiro and Senator Baker were joined at the news conference by State Rep. Karen Boback, Wyoming County District Attorney Jeff Mitchell, Wyoming County Coroner Tom Kukuchka and other Wyoming County officials.