The State of the City 2018: Philadelphia’s Opioid Crisis

Please join The Pew Charitable Trusts, city officials, health and human services and civic leaders, and other members of the community for a discussion with local and national experts on Philadelphia’s opioid crisis; the latest evidence-based strategies being used to improve treatment and prevention options; and examples of innovative, multifaceted responses undertaken locally and in other jurisdictions.

By many measures, as indicated in Pew’s 2018 “State of the City” report, scheduled for release in early April, Philadelphia is on an upward trend, with an increasing population, strong job growth, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. But the city is also facing one of the highest drug overdose rates in the nation, fueled predominantly by an intensifying opioid crisis.
 
As Philadelphia works to address this problem, Pew—as part of its commitment to informing dialogue on important issues in the city—will host a panel discussion on the latest research and strategies related to this critical topic.
 
Included in the conversation will be examples of approaches undertaken in other places, such as Baltimore and Staten Island, New York, and a discussion of successes and barriers to progress that have been encountered locally and in other cities.
 
8:00 a.m.               Registration and breakfast
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.   Program

Welcome & Introductory Remarks on the State of the City 2018
Larry Eichel
Director, Pew’s Philadelphia Research Initiative
 
Moderator
Maiken Scott
Behavioral Health Reporter and Host of “The Pulse,” WHYY

Panelists
Thomas A. Farley, MD, MPH
Commissioner of Health, City of Philadelphia
 
Michael McMahon
District Attorney, Richmond County (Staten Island), New York
 
Cynthia Reilly
Director, Pew’s Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative
 
Evan Behrle
Special Advisor for Opioid Policy, Baltimore City Health Department

The event is free and open to the public. For more details, including panelist bios, click here or visit www.pewtrusts.org/stateofthecity.