The winning candiate will serve a two-year term in office.

The Lehigh Valley Press weekly newspapers asked the candidates for the 134th Legislative District the following question: Is enough being done on the state level to battle the opioid crisis? Please explain.

Tom Applebach, Democrat

“Right now I believe inroads have been made on many fronts - prescription control, citizen education, medical professional’s attention to the problem. However, too many remain addicted, so we must continue to focus hard on treatment and recovery. The consequence has been the increase in Internet opioid purchase. In addition, we now have an expanding problem of counterfeit lookalikes that contain heroin and/or fentanyl.

State and local agencies are addressing the problem hard and the increased resources are undoubtedly making a difference. But we must remain vigilant and redirect resources as necessary to stem the tide.”

Ryan E. Mackenzie, Republican

Communities, families, educators, service providers, and the government can all play a role in tackling the opioid crisis. We in the state Legislature have been diligently working to enact measures to help curb opioid abuse. Legislation I supported that has been signed into law has created a prescription drug monitoring database, improved education about drug abuse, increased funding for treatment, and authorized expanded access to overdose medications. More must be done though and that is why I have authored legislation to reign in the overprescription of opioids. If re-elected, I plan to continue to push for these positive reforms.

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The 134th Legislative District includes: In Lehigh County, the Townships of Lower Macungie, Salisbury, wards 4, 5; South Whitehall, districts 3, 4; Boroughs of Alburtis and Macungie. In Berks County: Townships of Hereford, Longswamp, Richmond, Rockland. and the Borough of Topton.