KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, talks to the Sun-Gazette editorial board in February 2023.

A state lawmaker says there’s been a 50% increase in death by use of opioids including fentanyl in the past three years.

State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, recently spoke to the Sun-Gazette editorial board about the drug crisis and other topics he has thoughts about as he works on legislation.

Yaw serves as chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, which has raised awareness about the crisis caused by use and abuse of opioids.

“I believe in an emphasis on medicated assistance,” he said.

He is disturbed by the stigma placed on those seeking help with their addictions.

He said that, like how diabetics use insulin, those addicted to narcotics must get the help they need by being prescribed drugs that help wean the user off the more dangerous drug.

The drugs help to end a chemical dependence because narcotics change the brain, he said.

Prescribed drugs such as Vivitrol, typically an injection done by a medical professional that lasts for up to six months, methadone, buprenorphine and others should be able to be used.

“My contribution (in helping reduce overdose deaths) has been to sponsor a bill that limits prescriptions of pain-killers to minors,” he said.

Some people, including youngsters for a variety of reasons, can and do become easily addicted to narcotic pain relievers in as little as 10 days, while it may not affect others.

“You never know,” he added.

Another area of concern for Yaw is that of the carcinogenic and unhealthy exposure to second-hand smoke, especially when adults, such as a parent, or guardian, smoke a cigarette in a vehicle while there is an infant or child inside.

An additional topic on Yaw’s radar is to ban the use of fire suppression foam containing chemicals knows as PFAS for training purposes. Firefighters train to put out aircraft fires using the foam, and Yaw wants to keep its use strictly in the field to continue to put out fires in airplanes.

The foam is highly carcinogenic, meaning it can cause cancer, he said.

“You can find something else for training the firefighters,” he said.