The House Human Services Committee voted unanimously to pass Rep. Doyle Heffley's (R-Carbon) resolution calling for a task force to study the rising trend in the use of heroin and abuse of prescription opioid drugs across Pennsylvania. The bill now awaits consideration by the full House.

"The abuse of heroin and prescription drugs is a growing problem in Carbon County and across the Commonwealth," Heffley said. "It is time to start working together to find solutions to this problem and I feel this resolution is a step in the right direction."House Resolution 659 would direct the Joint State Government Commission to create a task force consisting of four members appointed by House Speaker Sam Smith, two Republicans and two Democrats chosen in consultation with each party's floor leader.In addition, the resolution calls for the formation of an advisory committee, including but not limited to representatives from groups which are connected to the battle against drugs in Pennsylvania. That list includes the Department of Public Welfare, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Medical Society.