US Sen. Toomey Focuses On Rx Drug Abuse Problem At Delco Presentation
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By David Madden
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FOLSOM, Pa. (CBS) -- US Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) hosted a roundtable discussion today in Delaware County, looking at the problem of prescription drug abuse.
Toomey (third from left in top photo) was joined during the hourlong session by the County Council, the Delaware County DA, and other interested parties.
Among them was Tricia Stouch of Aston, Pa. (at left in photo below), who lost her teenage daughter to drugs four years ago. She now promotes education and intervention.
"Have some kind of program in the schools and get to the younger kids," she advised those present. "I don't think that fourth, fifth, and sixth grade is too young."
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Other ideas presented were requiring addicts to remain longer -- up to two years -- in rehab, and keeping better track of how narcotics are doled out by doctors and pharmacists.
There is currently a push to set up a computer network for pharmacists and law enforcement to do just that in Pennsylvania. If implemented, it could serve as a national model for dealing with the problem of prescription drug abuse.
