Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith and Acting Health Secretary and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson today praised Governor Tom Wolf​’s ​continued commitment to address the overdose crisis by signing into law ​legislation that will avoid opioid overdose deaths. This measure (House Bill 1393) amends The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act of 1972 to no longer define fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia.   

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 78% of the 5,343 overdose deaths statewide in 2021 involved fentanyl.

“Fentanyl is undetectable through sight, taste, and smell. Unless a drug is tested with a fentanyl test strip, it is nearly impossible for an individual to know if it has been laced with fentanyl,” said Secretary Smith. “We continue to encourage all Pennsylvanians to equip themselves with the life-saving drug naloxone, and now with the legalization of fentanyl test strips, individuals have an additional tool to fight the overdose crisis. This legalization is a big win in the harm reduction space, allowing individuals to be more informed given the large amount of fentanyl in our drug supply — this small strip of paper could save their life.”

FTS are a low-cost method of helping to prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. These small strips of paper can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables), providing people who use drugs and communities with important information about fentanyl in the illicit drug supply.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, nearly 100 times more potent than morphine. In the medical setting, fentanyl can be used to treat patients with chronic pain, such as pain associated with advanced cancer or severe pain following surgery. Illicit fentanyl, on the other hand, is primarily manufactured outside of the United States, illegally brought into the U.S. and distributed and sold on the illegal drug market. It is sold as powders, nasal sprays, and pills that are made to look like prescription opioids. Fentanyl is being mixed with other illicit drugs, primarily heroin, to increase its potency. Mixing fentanyl with other drugs increases the likelihood of its use leading to a fatal overdose.

“The legalization of fentanyl test strips will undoubtedly help save the lives of Pennsylvanians by reducing drug overdoses,” said Dr. Johnson. “Many people take the deadly drug without knowing it. Now, they can use test strips to identify the presence of fentanyl, so they are not accidently exposed to the drug.”

Harm reduction is a proven public health approach that minimizes the negative consequences of drug use, saves lives, improves health outcomes, and strengthens families and communities. This approach recognizes that there will always be individuals using and misusing legal and illegal drugs, and addresses the conditions of their use. Other harm reduction tools include syringe services programs, which the Wolf Administration also strongly believes should be legalized by the General Assembly. 

There are numerous ways that Pennsylvanians can access life-saving naloxone. Dr. Johnson signed standing orders allowing members of the general public and first responders to obtain naloxone from their local pharmacy and through a partnership with Point Pittsburgh and NEXT Distro, Pennsylvania supports a statewide mail-based naloxone program for individuals to request medication for personal use.

To learn more about the Wolf Administration’s efforts in combatting the disease of addiction, visit pa.gov/opioids.  

Gasbarre Products Inc is reported to be expanding its facility in St Marys, Pennsylvania, USA, with an investment of some $5.8 million. The company has leased a 14,000 m² facility in St Marys, which will triple the size of its current location and create sixteen new jobs, while retaining a further 156 employees across four locations statewide. Gasbarre also plans to relocate operations from Plymouth, Michigan, to the expanded facility.

Gasbarre received a funding proposal from the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) for a $64,000 Pennsylvania First grant. As part of its expansion project, the company has committed to creating new jobs at its St Marys facility within three years.

“Our investment in the new facility in St Marys provides an opportunity for Gasbarre to continue to grow and flourish where we have manufactured for nearly fifty years,” stated Alex Gasbarre, CEO. “The work ethic and skills provided by past, current, and future Gasbarre team members provide a strong base for this move. We look forward to adding new team members in the coming months when the move process is completed. The people of Elk County and St. Marys will be key to our success.”

www.gasbarre.com

Straub Brewery Wins License in Benezette

Harrisburg – Following validation of bids received by the Oct. 31 deadline for the 11th
restaurant license auction authorized by Act 39 of 2016, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
(PLCB) has issued Notices of Selection to top bidders on 20 licenses.

Winning bids range from $25,111 for a license in Benezette Township, Elk County to $460,751
for a license in Uwchlan, Chester County. The average winning bid in the auction was $154,833.
The number of bids received for each of the 20 licenses receiving bids ranged from one to
seven.

Sixty-nine total bids were received, and one license in Cambria County received no bids.
Winning bids and bidders were posted to the PLCB restaurant license auction web page
following opening of bids Wednesday morning, Nov. 2, and subsequent bid validation

Issue With “Gluten Free” Labeling on Cedar Creek Popcorn Box Containing Gluten

Cedar Creek Popcorn of Sac City, Iowa is recalling its 18 oz. Old-Fashioned Caramel Holiday Popcorn Box because the side of the box features a Gluten Free claim when there are elements with gluten contained in the product.   People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Cedar Creek’s 18 oz. Old-Fashioned Caramel Holiday Popcorn Box was distributed nationwide at Tractor Supply Company stores.  It carries a UPC code of 025606000612.

The product comes in a cardboard box

Dear Pennsylvania Voter, 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. To make sure your vote counts, it is important to make a plan and stick to it. How do you plan to vote?

In person:

• Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are voting in person, make sure you know where to go. If you need help getting there, secure transportation in advance.
• If this is your first time voting at your polling location, you will need to show a form of identification. There are both photo and non-photo options for identification that are permitted. 

By mail ballot and have received your ballot:

• You must sign and write the date on the declaration envelope for your ballot to count. (If you already returned your ballot and forgot to sign and/or date, contact your county board of electionsas soon as possible.)
• Your ballot must be received by your county board of elections by 8 p.m. Nov. 8 to be counted. Ballots postmarked by that time but not received by the county board of elections by then do not count.
• If you have not yet mailed your ballot, you should hand-deliver your ballot to your county board of elections. You can also submit your mail ballot to a county-designated drop box or satellite office. You cannot submit your voted mail ballot at your polling place, unless you intend to surrender it to the judge of elections and vote in-person.
• You are the only person permitted to return your ballot unless you have a disability and have designated an agent in writing to return your ballot using this form.

By mail ballot but have not yet received your ballot:

• Voters who requested a mail ballot and did not receive it or do not have it to surrender may vote by provisional ballot at their polling place.

By mail ballot but cannot return it before the deadline:

• If you cannot return your mail ballot before the deadline, you may bring your unvoted mail ballot and the outer declaration envelope with you to your polling place to be voided. After you surrender your ballot packet and sign a declaration, you can then vote a regular ballot.

If you have an emergency and missed the deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot:

• If you have an emergency (such as an unexpected illness or disability or last-minute absence from your municipality) you can apply for an emergency absentee ballot after the deadline. Requests for emergency absentee ballots can be submitted starting at 5 p.m. on November 1 and up to 8 p.m. on November 8 (Election Day).

If you have any questions about how to vote, please contact 1-877-VOTESPA or your county board of elections.

Forward this email to a friend and spread the word! Help us ensure all eligible voters can cast their ballot Nov. 8. Thank you for being an informed and prepared voter.

Sincerely, 

Leigh M. Chapman
Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth 

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DID YOU KNOW? Pennsylvania will likely not have results on Elections Day, as reviewing all ballots from all registered voters, including remote military voters, takes time.