Drug abuse, prison overcrowding and funding cuts are three major problems in Carbon County.

During the fifth annual Legislative Breakfast, held at Whispering Pines, Penn Forest Township Fire Company No. 1, Jim Thorpe, dozens of area agencies and organizations, as well as school, hospital, state and county officials gathered to talk about hot topic issues in today's society and how they affect the county.Brinda Penyak, deputy director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, spoke on three main issues: human services funding and further system reform; inmates with mental health and substance abuse issues; and prevention of substance abuse and drug overdose.She noted that significant cuts in funding on the county level have made it more difficult to offer preventive programs.Because of this, there have been increases in inmates because of substance abuse problems and mental health issues, who aren't getting the help they need."At times when the economy is most challenged, the challenge on families grows," she said, "and the number of individuals who need that service increases at the same time. It's really a very difficult match up when it happens simultaneously."Penyak said that CCAP has suggested a more rapid restoration of benefits because inmates lose all benefits when they step foot in jail."When somebody walks in the door of the jail and the folks taking care of them walk away, any benefit program available to them immediately ceases," she said. "If they qualify for veterans benefits, they're gone. If they qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, they're all gone. They immediately become the responsibility of the county."Eighty percent of inmates have substance abuse or mental health issues when they walk in the doors."Human services funding is the key, but over the last few state budgets, approximately $84 million, which represents 10 percent, has been cut for human services funding.This means that counties are now forced to see what must be sacrificed.Penyak said 30 counties are part of a human services block grant program. This provides a little extra flexibility to bring in funds to help work with programs that will help cover issues like substance abuse and mental illness.Not enoughBut, the money isn't enough to combat the significant increases in drug use.Penyak spoke about opiate and prescription drug abuse that is plaguing the state and country, noting that it is increasing on all levels: children, adult and seniors."This is not a problem that is narrowed down to one specific set of the population," she said. "This is something we're seeing everywhere."She said that 13 bills are currently dealing with combating drug use. State Rep. Doyle Heffley introduced House Bill 659, focusing on creating a task force committee to combat opiate abuse. It passed the House 200-0.She said that collaboration is necessary if the state is going to have any hope of lessening the issues.Following Penyak's address, Nothstein said the county is looking into ways to reduce prison overcrowding as well as find ways to offer more programs to people who need them."These are problems that affect every one of us," he said.Jeanne Miller, co-chairperson of the Carbon County Child and Family Collaborative, wrapped up the event."Sometimes our challenges seem so daunting," she said. "We as a community have identified our problems. We know that our problems represent all age groups, colors, socio-economic backgrounds. We're trying to take ownership. I think we're seeing some call to action here."I truly believe we're trying to improve the lives of the children and families we work with and I think if we are diligent we can make a difference and improve the quality of life for all the residents of Carbon County."The annual Legislative Breakfast was organized and hosted by the Interagency Council of Carbon County and the Carbon County Child and Family Collaborative Board; and made possible through sponsorship by various county agencies.Cub Pack 209 made the centerpieces for the event and Penn-Kidder SHINE students made the lanyards for special guests.The next Legislative Breakfast is scheduled for April 24, 2015.