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Mon Valley mayors host opioid summit in Monongahela

2 min read
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MONONGAHELA – Washington County Coroner Tim Warco urged first responders to back off at the scene once they confirm a suspected drug overdose death.

These deaths need to be preserved as a crime scene to ensure any evidence linking the death to a drug dealer is preserved so that it will hold up in court, Warco said.

“Treat it like a homicide,” Warco said Wednesday at an opioid summit called by the mayors of Monongahela and Monessen.

He said it’s a problem when medics, firefighters and police officers contaminate these scenes because investigators need to test such things as computer tablets for DNA.

“It’s not intentional,” he said. “Everyone is trying to help. The adrenaline is running. You are trying to sustain life.”

Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw said it’s time elected officials and first responders get together to find ways to better deal with the crisis.

“I’ve lost seven friends to overdoses,” Shorraw said.

“We’re chasing problems out of Monessen and then they go to Charleroi,” he said. “It makes sense for all of us to come together.”

Monongahela Mayor Bob Kepics echoed Shorraw’s comments.

“The drug problem is all throughout the valley,” Kepics said.

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