Chester County Commissioners Terence Farrell, Kathi Cozzone and Michelle Kichline, with Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.
WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners and District Attorney continue to take measures in fighting opioid and heroin addiction within the county by scheduling a color 5k run and walk that will raise funds to help combat the growing epidemic.
Chester County’s first color 5k family run and walk takes place at Everhart Park, West Chester, on Saturday, November 5. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the race starts at 9:00 a.m. For details on the event, and to register to run or walk, go to http://chesco.org/color5k.
“Chester County is one of the wealthiest, best educated and healthiest counties in the nation. However, we face the same overdose epidemic that is creating significant issues – and causing deaths – across Pennsylvania and America,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell.
County officials and departments are already working together through the Overdose Prevention Task Force, led by the Commissioners and District Attorney, the Health Department and Department of Drug and Alcohol Services.
“Americans are the number one consumers of opioids and they are being abused by young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural,” added Commissioner Kathi Cozzone. “Prescription drug abuse has opened the door to heroin use, especially among young people, because heroin is cheaper and easier to obtain.”
Commissioner Michelle Kichline noted, “This color 5k run and walk serves two purposes – to raise awareness that this addiction crisis is found throughout Chester County, and also to raise funds for Chester County hospitals to study and coordinate a “warm hand-off” program that transitions those who have been saved from an overdose into long-term treatment and counseling.”
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said, “Members of this task force are leading the fight against opioid and heroin addiction, serving as a model for all of Pennsylvania. Our approach includes the arrest and prosecution of drug dealers, diverting addicts into treatment and counseling through Drug Court, educating kids and their parents through our Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE) program, taking drugs off the streets through our drop box initiative, and working with doctors and health care providers on opioid prescribing practices. We work every day to come up with new ways to protect our kids.”
Sponsorship opportunities at many levels are available for companies and individuals to offset the cost of the color 5k run and walk and raise additional funds. For more information on levels of sponsorship, contact Rebecca Brain, Chester County Communications Coordinator, at 610-344-6279 or email rbrain@chesco.org.
