On today’s episode of The Confluence:
Drug overdose deaths numbers rose in Pennsylvania and nationally
(0:00 - 7:39)
The CDC reports that more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, a nearly 15 percent increase from a year earlier, and an unenviable, all time record.
Pennsylvania remains in the top five states for the most fatal overdoses.
“It certainly wasn't a shock, but it absolutely is disheartening,” says Jennifer Smith, state Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs. “So much work has been done to try to address what was the opioid crisis, now has morphed into more of an addiction crisis. I think what's important for all of us to remember is that there really is still a lot of hope that comes with recovery from substance use disorder.”
Smith says some of the increased deaths can be attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a rise in the use of fentanyl.
One tool to reduce harm would be legalizing the use of fentanyl test strips, which Smith says her office supports.
“It scientifically has been proven to reduce the potential harm in terms of overdose deaths. So, it's kind of hard to argue against the facts,” says Smith.
Local milk banks are struggling to fill gaps left by the formula shortage
(7:44 - 15:12)
Nationwide, families are struggling to find formula to feed their infants. This is particularly complicated for those with premature or sick babies that might need specialized foods. Local milk banks are also seeing an increase in those requesting human milk.
“The hospitals are having to lean on us more heavily,” says Denise O’Connor, the founder and executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank. “We're seeing a 25% uptick in their usage and then outpatient requests as well.”
The bank serves Pennsylvania and the surrounding states of West Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. O'Connor says as requests for human milk have risen, so have the number of calls about donation.
Although the milk itself is free because it’s donated, patients can pay on average $4.50 an ounce due to the cost of processing the milk. There are currently bills moving through the Pennsylvania legislature that seek to mandate health insurance to cover the cost of human milk for inpatients and outpatients with certain medical conditions.
“Donor milk is a medical service,” says O’Connor. “It is just as important as blood is to someone who needs blood. Human milk is the same.”
Limited equity co-operatives could help address affordable housing
(15:17 - 22:30)
Pittsburgh City Council is exploring how to address the need for affordable housing, at least in part, through collective ownership.
City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith and Councilor Deb Gross have proposed legislation that would instruct the Department of City Planning to research policy recommendations around limited-equity cooperatives and prepare a report.
Such co-ops are buildings where residents don’t own the real estate, but own a share in the housing corporation that holds the deed.
“That share is typically far lower than a home down payment. It could be as little as $1,000 or $2,000, which was more like the security deposit for an apartment these days,” says WESA senior reporter Margaret J. Krauss. “The monthly costs are also typically lower than a normal market rate, rent or mortgage per month. And so it's a democratically controlled, more affordable way to have a long term housing solution.”
The concept is not new to Pittsburgh; the resolution from Kail-Smith and Gross says the city “currently has limited-equity cooperatives within its borders,” some dating back to World War II.
City Council is expected to consider this legislation tomorrow. If passed, the report is due by the end of August.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
