News and Press Releases

Western Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Abuse Summit June 27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2012

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Western Pennsylvania’s first Prescription Drug Abuse Summit will be held on June 27, 2012, at Washington & Jefferson College, Olin Fine Arts Center, 285 E. Wheeling Street, 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.

Speakers at the 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.

Both sessions are free and open to the public.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. session - Combating Prescription Drug Abuse
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. session - Protecting Yourself, Family and Friends from the Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse

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
Eugene 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.

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