Delaware County Daily Times guest columnist

By Dr. Monica Taylor

As president of the Delaware County Board, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of the opioid crisis on our community.

This epidemic has devastated neighborhoods, destroyed families and overwhelmed our health care systems, with the Pennsylvania Opioid Data Dashboard reporting that nearly 11,800 residents are dealing with drug use disorders in our area.

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

Our response to this crisis began with holding those responsible accountable.

Even today, the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. is the subject of a federal investigation into his role in potentially exacerbating the crisis.

Remembering where we came from, we can build a future where dollars will never again be valued over lifetimes.

Delaware County pioneered legal action against pharmaceutical companies whose aggressive opioid marketing practices prioritized profits over public health and safety.

This litigation was not just about seeking justice, but about catalyzing change and ensuring that such a public health disaster never happens again.

The process set a precedent and we started to see the results. Settlements began to provide much needed funds to support our local efforts.

While these financial payments are a positive step forward, they are only part of the comprehensive approach needed to tackle such a complex problem.

These funds are helping, but there is more to do.

As we continue our fight, Delaware County is now seeking 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 that are disproportionately affected by drug abuse.

Initiatives like the Psychological Autopsy Initiative will allow us to explore the complicated pathways that lead to overdose by combining rigorous research with
compassionate intervention to prevent these tragedies before they occur.

Despite these efforts, the reality remains harsh. The crisis does not discriminate, affecting people from all walks of life and putting enormous strain on our first responders and healthcare systems.

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

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

Legislators can enact stronger policies to manage and prevent addiction, while ordinary citizens can take action by lobbying legislators, checking on family members and friends, and volunteering in community programs.

We have all been touched by this epidemic in some way; now, we must recognize this and engage in the hard work of supporting our friends, families and our community.

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

While settlements and potential grant funding are promising steps, they are just the beginning. Our journey to recovery and resilience is ongoing and requires the commitment of each of us.

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

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