Education, prevention, treatment, enforcement and data monitoring are the themes of a non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against heroin in Lycoming County.

Project Bald Eagle is a coalition of organizations, community leaders, professionals and citizens who have banded together to fight this deadly epidemic.

“We have law enforcement, judges, college representatives, school superintendents, doctors, people from drug and alcohol, ministers … people from across the board,” said state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Williamsport.

A goal of the organization is to monitor and collect surveillance data to analyze and address substance abuse in the county.

The Lycoming County Heroin Task Force was formed in 2013 to address the growing heroin problem. The Heroin Task Force developed a foundation of support from diverse community groups to engage in a dialogue of solutions in response to heroin/opioid use in Lycoming County.

In 2014, The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, chaired by Yaw, conducted a series of hearings throughout the Commonwealth to gather information on the issue of heroin in our communities. Subsequent meetings with Lycoming County Heroin Task Force and members of the community ultimately led to the creation of Project Bald Eagle last year.

The organization launched through $100,000 in funding, with donations of $25,000 each from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lycoming College, Susquehanna Health and Lycoming County.

The vast variety of people involved gives a concerted effort in the battle against heroin, he said. Yaw acknowledged that there are territorial issues at times, but they continue to strive for the greater good.

“We are the hub of the wheel, linking those in need with available services,” he said.