By Dr. Monica Taylor

As Delaware County Council President, I have witnessed first-hand the impact of the opioid crisis on our community.

This epidemic has ravaged neighborhoods, broken families, and overwhelmed our healthcare systems, with Pennsylvania’s opioid data dashboard reporting nearly 11,800 residents struggling with drug use disorder in our region.

Since 2022, emergency services have responded to approximately 2,000 overdose calls, each representing a life — a mother, a father, a friend — leaving behind a trail of grief and communities struggling to heal.

Our response to this crisis began by holding those responsible to account.

Even today, the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. is the subject of a federal investigation into its role in a potential exacerbation of the crisis.

By remembering where we came from, we can forge a future in which dollars are never again valued over lives.

Delaware County was the first to take legal action against pharmaceutical companies whose aggressive opioid marketing practices prioritized profits over the public’s health and safety.

This litigation was not only about achieving justice, it was also about catalyzing change and ensuring that such a public health disaster never happens again.

The lawsuit set a precedent and we began to see the results. The colonies began to provide much-needed funds to support our local efforts.

While these financial disbursements are a positive step forward, they represent only part of the overall approach required to combat such a complex problem.

These funds are useful, but there is still more to be done.

As we continue our fight, Delaware County is now looking to improve its strategy by applying for a grant of up to $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This grant will allow us to expand our primary and secondary overdose prevention activities, particularly targeting populations disproportionately affected by drug abuse.

Initiatives such as the Psychological Autopsy Initiative will allow us to explore the complex pathways leading to overdose, combining rigorous research with
compassionate intervention to prevent these tragedies before they happen.

Despite these efforts, reality remains harsh. The crisis does not discriminate, it affects people from all backgrounds and puts immense pressure on our first responders and healthcare systems.

The heartbreaking statistic of four county residents lost each week to opioid overdose is a clear and urgent call to action.

This is where the broader community needs to step in. It is time for stakeholders in Delaware County and the broader Philadelphia region, including community members, legislators and other regional partners, to step up their efforts.

Lawmakers can enact stronger policies to manage and prevent addiction, while ordinary citizens can take action by lobbying their legislators, checking in with family and friends, and volunteering in programs. community awareness.

We have all been affected by this epidemic in one way or another; now we must recognize it and commit to working hard to support our friends, families and community.

This is a call to action for everyone: get involved, volunteer, and push for policy changes that can really make a difference. Our collective effort is crucial to paving the way for a healthier, safer Delaware County, where the shadow of addiction no longer looms over our community.

While the agreements and potential grants are promising steps, they are only the beginning. Our journey to recovery and resilience is ongoing and requires the commitment of each and every one of us.

Together, with unwavering support and proactive measures, we can transform the face of our community and secure a future free from the grip of the opioid epidemic.

Dr. Monica Taylor is the chairwoman of the Delaware County Council. She led the effort to create the county’s first health department. She is also a professor and director of graduate programs at Temple University.