PITTSBURGH, Pa. - United States Attorney David J. Hickton released today the agenda for Western Pennsylvania’s first Prescription Drug Abuse Summit.

Speakers at the one-day, two-session event include Dr. Neil Capretto, Medical Director for Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Robert Hill, Chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Pharmaceutical Investigations Section, and Cheryl D. Bernstein, MD, UPMC Pain Medicine at Centre Commons.

Philicia Barbieri, a recovering addict and former teacher at the Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and Phil Bauer, who lost his 18-year-old son to prescription drugs, will offer firsthand accounts on the tragedy resulting from prescription drug abuse.

Law enforcement in Pennsylvania has made prescription pill trafficking one of its highest priorities. However, combating this problem cannot be solved by law enforcement alone. Success will require a joint effort from industry professionals, concerned citizens and parents.

With this in mind, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Washington County District Attorney's Office are hosting a Prescription Drug Abuse Summit on June 27, 2012, at Washington & Jefferson College's Olin Fine Arts Center, in Washington, Pa. The event will include presentations and panel discussions of the many facets of prescription pill drug abuse and its impact on Western Pennsylvania communities, schools and institutions.

Both sessions are free and open to the public.

To register for the 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. session - Combating Prescription Drug Abuse - email your name, title, and place of employment to USAPAW-RxDrugAbuseSummit@usdoj.gov

To register for the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. session - Protecting Yourself, Family and Friends from the Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse - call 412-894-7516 and provide your name and the number of people attending.

###

Editor's Note: Agenda and directions follow.

Western Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Abuse Summit
Combating Prescription Drug Abuse
June 27, 2012
Washington and Jefferson College
Olin Fine Arts Center

12:30 p.m.	Registration
1:00 p.m.	Opening Remarks David J. Hickton, United States Attorney - Western Pennsylvania Linda Kelly, Pennsylvania Attorney General Gene Vittone, Washington County District Attorney
1:15 p.m.	Defining the Problem: How Did We Get Here? Dr. Neil Capretto, Medical Director Gateway Rehabilitation Institute
1:50 p.m.	Challenges Facing Physicians and Pharmacists: A Panel Discussion Moderator: Stephen R. Kaufman, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Chief, Criminal Division Mike Zemaitis, PhD, Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Cathy Fitzgerald, Registered Pharmacist, Children's Hospital/Retail Pharmacist Cheryl D. Bernstein, MD, UPMC Pain Medicine at Centre Commons
2:50 p.m.	Break
3:05 p.m.	Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Crisis Regina Labelle, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Office of National Drug Control Policy
3:25 p.m.	Law Enforcement Response to the Human and Economic Costs of Illegal Drug Diversion: A Panel Discussion Moderator: Michael A. Comber, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Chief, Civil Division Robert L. Hill, Chief, DEA’s Pharmaceutical Investigations Section Kevin Deegan, Asst. Special Agent in Charge, FBI Stephen R. Kaufman, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Chief, Criminal Division Jeffrey Baxter, Senior Deputy Attorney General, PA Office of Attorney General
4:30 p.m.	Prescription Drug Peril – A Dad’s Perspective Phil Bauer, York, Pennsylvania
4:50 p.m.	Closing Remarks
5 p.m. to 8:pm	Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Take-Back Program
5:30 p.m.	Registration
6:00 p.m.	Opening Remarks David J. Hickton, United States Attorney - Western Pennsylvania Linda Kelly, Pennsylvania Attorney General
6:10 p.m.	The Nature of Addiction Dr. Neil Capretto, Medical Director Gateway Rehabilitation Institute
6:40 p.m.	An Addict’s Story Philicia Barbieri, Recovering Addict Former Teacher, Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Acts
7:00 p.m.	Prescription Drug Abuse: Here, There and Everywhere Gene Vittone, Washington County District Attorney Timothy S. Warco, Washington County Coroner
7:20 p.m.	Living a Parent's Worst Nightmare Phil Bauer, York, Pennsylvania
7:40 p.m.	Western Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Perspective Stephen R. Kaufman, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Chief, Criminal Division Gary Davis, Asst. Special Agent in Charge, DEA Kevin Deegan, Asst. Special Agent in Charge, FBI Gregory L. Zenyuh, Supervisory Special Agent, PA Office of Attorney General
8:00 p.m.	Closing Remarks

By Automobile:

From the North - Take Interstate 79 south to Interstate 70 east/79 south to Exit 20, Beau Street. Exit and bear right around the loop. Turn left at the traffic light and follow Beau Street to the College. (See directions below for PA Route 136 west.)

From the South - Take Interstate 79 north to Interstate 70 west/79 north to Exit 20, Beau Street. Make a left from the exit ramp. Turn left at the traffic light and follow Beau Street to the College. (See directions below for PA Route 136 west.)

From the East - Take Interstate 70 west to Exit 20, Beau Street. Make a left from the exit ramp. Turn left at the traffic light and follow Beau Street to the College. (See directions below for PA Route 136 west.)

From the West - Interstate 70 east to Exit 20, Beau Street. Exit and bear right around the loop. Turn left at the traffic light and follow Beau Street to the College. (See directions below for PA Route 136 west.)

PA Route 136 West - Traveling on PA 136 west (Beau Street) you will proceed for 1.3 miles. Turn left at the fourth light onto College Street (one-way), remain in the left lane; proceed 1 block and turn left at the light onto Wheeling Street (two-way); proceed one block and turn left at the light onto South Lincoln Street (one-way), remain in the left lane. The Visitor's Parking Lot is on the left at the midpoint of the block.

Return to Top