Politics & Government

Congressman Address Drug Abuse With With MontCo Students

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) spoke with nearly 40 Montgomery County school students Wednesday.

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) spoke with nearly 40 Montgomery County school students and community anti-drug leaders Wednesday morning about his efforts to get drugs off the streets.

Speaking at the annual Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition Community Leaders Breakfast, Fitzpatrick discussed his involvement in the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse.

“Drug and alcohol abuse destroys families and young lives – in doing so, it takes a toll on the future. It’s a serious issue, and one I believe is best addressed close to home - here in the community - by people like you,” Fitzpatrick told the group. “As a parent, I see first-hand the pressures our children face. We need every tool we can find to fight back against drug and alcohol abuse.”

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“We were privileged to have Congressman Fitzpatrick speak at this event and are grateful for his support of community coalitions,” said Dr. Christopher Hey, President of the Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition.The Congressman has been a champion of efforts to keep youngsters drug and alcohol free, and we are proud to have him represent our community – a Community Where Character Counts.”

Fitzpatrick has sponsored legislation to address underage drinking and reduce the abuse of prescription medications. Recently, he has lead a bipartisan push for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reconsider their approval of a potentially highly-addictive pain medicine until proper anti-abuse measures could be built into the drug. On his website, Fitzpatrick includes information about prescription drug drop-off boxes to ensure that expired or unused drugs stay out of the wrong hands.

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In attendance at Wednesday’s gathering were representatives from Souderton Area School District, Montgomery Country Office of Drug and Alcohol, Pennsylvania State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as students from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and the Souderton Area School District.


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