Drug and Alcohol Awareness Expo planned in Lansford

In his continuing effort to help inform individuals and families about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, is hosting his annual Drug and Alcohol Awareness Expo on Oct. 24.

The free event, which is open to all ages, will run from 6-8 p.m. at Panther Valley High School, located at 912 Coal Region Way in Lansford.

Children are invited to wear Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat with expo vendors.

“I look forward to hosting this expo every year to provide a variety of tools for helping to curb addiction in our communities,” said Heffley. “Our hope is this event can give families some of the resources they need to prevent young people from falling victim to the opioid epidemic that continues to claim too many lives across our commonwealth.”

The expo will feature more than 30 exhibitors with information about preventing drug and alcohol abuse and promoting healthy habits. Information about naloxone, the heroin overdose antidote, will be available, as well as a mock teen bedroom for parents to learn where drugs are hidden. A private room will also be available for discreet discussions with a physician.

The DUI Victims Moving Memorial will make a stop at the expo to remind attendees of the lives lost to drunken driving in the commonwealth.

An initiative of the Pennsylvania DUI Association, the moving memorial is a trailer that features a 25-foot wall listing the names of more than 1,000 DUI victims.

A prescription drug drop-off box will be on site for the safe disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs.

For more information about the expo, contact Heffley’s office at 610-377-6363 or visit www.RepHeffley.com.