Tom Wolf, the Governor of Pennsylvania, issues a disaster declaration over the "heroin and opioid epidemic", starting an Opioid Operational Command Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf declares disaster emergency over what he termed the state's opioid and heroin epidemic that is killing thousands through drug overdoses and ratcheting up government costs across the state.
- The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports life expectancy in 2016 in America declined for the second year in a row because of the opioid crisis. Context: opioid epidemic
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asks pharmaceutical manufacturer Endo International plc to withdraw its long-lasting (12 hours) opioid painkiller, Opana ER, from the market after an FDA panel concluded the drug's benefits no longer outweighed the risks of abuse. Endo is evaluating its options. Context: opioid epidemic
- A bill to takeover the capital city of Harrisburg, rather than have it file for Chapter 9, clears the Pennsylvania State Legislature. The Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, is expected to sign it. Context: Governor of Pennsylvania
- The Governor of Pennsylvania Ed Rendell orders a partial shutdown of state government functions following the failure of state legislators to agree on a budget. Context: Governor of Pennsylvania