Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo last week accepted the “Spirit of the Commonwealth Award” from a statewide coalition of drug and alcohol treatment providers given for his many contributions to addiction treatment efforts.
DiGirolamo received the award Nov. 10 during the annual meeting of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania (DASPOP).
“It’s hard to begin to find ways to say ‘thank you’ to former state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo,” said Deb Beck, Executive Director of DASPOP. “This man has done a ton of lifesaving work in addiction treatment.”
As just one example, Beck cited DiGirolamo’s work in the state legislature where he “led the battle” to increase availability statewide of the life-saving drug naloxone.
Commonly referred to by the brand name “Narcan,” the overdose reversing drug is frequently carried by treatment providers, police and emergency medical personnel, and is available to all Pennsylvanians by standing order of the state Department of Health.
Credit: Melissa Hammond
Visit the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission’s informational page on Narcan to learn more about how and where to get Narcan free of charge.
Here in Bucks County, DiGirolamo works daily with his fellow commissioners to boost access to treatment, as well to support the organizations that provide care to those in addiction and recovery. Through the county’s Human Services Division, the commissioners each year allocate millions in local, state and federal dollars to a wide spectrum of services and treatment efforts.
“It’s a great honor to me to receive this award for my work in drug addiction and helping to get people into the treatment they need,” Commissioner DiGirolamo said. “I am very proud and grateful to be able to help the residents and families of Bucks County in this way, and to be recognized for my efforts from this devoted group of professionals.”
Gold in color and fixed to a wooden base, the somewhat heavy award is a replica of the Commonwealth statue that stands atop the dome of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg.
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