ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown officials on Thursday launched a survey that could help shape some of the city’s public health policies and programs.
The citywide survey “seeks to better understand how public attitudes toward drug use affect individuals, families and communities," according to a news release from the city.
"And how stigma can be reduced to support more compassionate, evidence-based approaches.”
Allentown Health Director Dave Synnamon said in the release that the survey "gives our community a voice in shaping how we move forward as a city — one that values empathy, public health, and real solutions.”
The anonymous questionnaire focuses on opioids and illicit substances. Officials say it builds on the Allentown Health Bureau’s other work to address the ongoing opioid crisis.
“Every effort counts when it comes to saving lives."Allentown Health Director Dave Synnamon
The city installed two boxes — at Ninth and Linden streets and at Seventh and Chew streets — where residents can find naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, and instructions for its use.
Officials chose those “high-need” and high-traffic locations based on data about overdoses, according to the release.
“Every effort counts when it comes to saving lives,” Synnamon said.
Allentown Health Bureau is partnering with Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Services to install naloxone boxes.
