Lynne Massi was smiling.
So was Tricia Stouch.
It's something that comes easily for both women, despite being scarred by the heroin scourge that is taking a horrific toll on Delaware County and the region.
We were all in the Media Courthouse for a press conference at which District Attorney Jack Whelan announced the implementation of several crucial aspects of "David's Law."
That is the measure passed by the Legislatire this fall and signed by Gov. Tom Corbett. It will do two very important things: Offer limited immunity to a person who alerts authorities to a possible heroin overdose of a friend or acquaintance; and put the overdose-reversing drug Naloxone in every police car in Delaware County.
Lynne Massi had taken on the crusade for David's Law, named for her nephew, who died of a heroin overdose in 2013. She believes his life could have been saved if an acquaintance had been able to report it without fear of facing charges.
Tricia Stouch lost her daughter to heroin, and has been in the forefront of raising awareness to this dangerous new surge of opioid and heroin abuse. She founded a group that is going into school to tell young people of the dangers that are out there.
District Attorney Jack Whelan announced that this Saturday, Nov. 29, when the 'David's Law' goes into effect, 400 patrol cars across Delaware County will be equipped with a kit containing Naloxone.
I was invited to the press conference by the D.A.'s office. Whelan graciously noted our coverage of this issue over the past year. Reporter Rose Quinn did a series of stories based on the experience of the Massi family.
It is what community newspapering is all about.
I was proud to be a part of it.
I am even more proud of Lynne Massi and Tricia Stouch.
Here's our editorial in support of yesterday's rollout
Comments