Pennsbury Launches Opioid & Mental Health Task Force

When the family of 2013 Pennsbury High School graduate Luke Johnson implored the school board to do more in June after his heroin-related death, school board members and administration began to open their eyes.

Within days, the school district had begun to form a mental health and opioid task force to look at ways the district could help keep students safe.

School board member Jaqcui Redner, who has openly discussed the issue for five years, said the new opioid and mental health task force is needed and will help Pennsbury aid its students and community. She spoke before a crowd of about 50 people outside the administration building in Falls Township’s Fallsington section Wednesday evening.

“There’s so much we can do,” said Redner, who lost a son to suicide and had another battle addiction.

The task force will be made of multiple stakeholders, including students.

Pennsbury Superintendent Dr. William Gretzula said the task force has seven goals: deliver evidence-based mental health and drugs and alcohol curriculum, identify resources that exist, develop appropriate programs and resources, host community forums, add staff training on recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, review and enhance our state-mandated student assistance programs and enhance student support groups.

“Again, while saddened that we find ourselves in this place of despair, I am incredibly optimistic that the leaders assembled here today will be able to combine forces and stand strong and united in supporting the most vulnerable in our communities,” Gretzula said.

Redner told LevittownNow.com that Pennsbury does not currently keep an accounting of drug of mental health incidents in its schools but will now start and try to find solutions.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick applauded Pennsbury’s efforts and said the schools for “ground zero” for opioid and mental health problems. He added that other districts should follow Pennsbury’s lead.

“It begins at the community level,” Assistant District Attorney Tom Gannon said, adding educating the community is huge in battling the opioid epidemic.

State Rep. John Galloway of Falls Township said the solution to the drug problem has to come from the teamwork of legislatures, law enforcement and the public.

“Every level of government we are addressing and attacking the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania and here in Bucks County,” State Rep. Perry Warren, who represents Lower Makefield and Yardley.

Gannon said the county has added six Bucks County Detectives to create a drug strike team.

Galloway, who runs the Bucks County Crime Stoppers Push Out The Pusher program, said that effort has raised thousands of dollars

“I hope the sun that’s shining is a positive sign for our future and combatting this epidemic,” Gretzula said.